A GAMEKEEPER OF THE OLD SCHOOL 43 



up at Lochinvar together. He extolled our prowess 



as fishermen, and enumerated, for Mr. K 's benefit, 



the grand baskets which we had caught ; baskets 

 which, at the time, he had passed over with a far- 

 off eye, the best of them only having called forth 

 the doubtful praise of, " Ou ay ! just aboot the 

 aaverage." Now, it was evident that he recollected 

 accurately the number of fish caught on a given 

 day, and even the weights of the heaviest. 



I do not remember if we fished any more that 

 day, but I know that several very pleasant hours 

 were spent on the heathery banks of Lochinvar, 

 listening to tales of past days. I was extremely 

 glad to have had this revelation of Burnside, in 

 such genial mood, when his kindly old heart broke 

 through the outer crust of reserve within which he 

 usually wrapped himself. 



From the angler's point of view, Lochinvar is 

 not to be despised. The trout are very numerous, 

 and one can fish, with almost an equal chance, 

 on any part of the water — certain drifts answering 

 better on certain days. The trout do not run large, 

 but possibly may average half-a-pound upon a good 

 day, with an occasional pounder with which to top 

 up the basket. I have never seen a fish heavier 



