BOYHOOD IN GALLOWAY 21 



We were to drive ten miles on the Newton Stewart 

 road, as far as the Bridge of Dee, taking knapsacks 

 and all belongings with us ; and from there, fish 

 our way up the river, for seven or eight miles, 

 arriving at the Black Laggan in the evening. We 

 could have driven nearer to our destination by 

 turning off the main road just after crossing the 

 Brig o' Dee, and continuing as far as the small 

 shooting-lodge of Craigencaillie, but we preferred 

 to walk the whole way, fishing as we went. 



It turned out a very wet day, and we got 

 " fairly drenched." However, we enjoyed ourselves 

 greatly, having what we considered noble sport. 

 Perhaps a dozen decent fish fell to our rods that 

 day, and the trout of the Black Water of Dee are 

 extremely beautiful to look at, having a multiplicity 

 of black spots, on a creamy ground, with an 

 iridescent sheen over all. 



I well remember hooking a large trout that 

 day on the Dee, in a long black pool, from a 

 sandy bank ; — for the trout of our boyhood are 

 indelibly fixed in our memory. I pulled at that 

 fish with might and main ; but as he returned my 

 pull with interest, something had to go. It was 

 the tackle that went, and so did the fish — rejoicing 



