20 ANGLING & ART IN SCOTLAND 



the appointed one, the Skipper was adamant, and 

 forced a start. 



The Skipper was the eldest of the quartette. He 

 was exceedingly methodical, and had, moreover, a 

 very level head ; hence he always matured the plans 

 on an elaborate scale, and carried them out with 

 much discipline — nay, it was occasionally whispered 

 amongst the other three, a wee bit over-fussily. The 

 term/iissy certainly could not be applied to the Duke 

 (who came next to the Skipper) — so called because 

 of his lordly, extravagant ways and ingratiating 

 manners. He, certainly, had plenty of plans, but 

 they were of the airiest, the most high-flown order. 

 The Duke was invariably the first to commence 

 fishing at the river-side, putting up his rod in an 

 uncomfortable sort of way as he approached the 

 water. He always bristled with flies and casts ; 

 worms frequently might be seen dripping from out 

 his pockets ; and, neither then, nor in after life, could 

 his tackle be depended upon ; — nevertheless, he 

 usually caught more fish than others, and lost even 

 a larger proportion. 



The carriage, or machine, as it is generally 

 termed in Scotland, was waiting for us at the door 

 punctually at nine o'clock by the Skipper's orders. 



