62 ANGLING & ART IN SCOTLAND 



naturally solemn face), and helping to wring out 

 the soaked garments, I hazarded the philosophical 

 suggestion that it might have been worse had the 

 accident happened sooner, as anyhow it was time 

 that we returned home, and his drenched condition 

 would not be felt so much while walking briskly. 

 However, John did not appear to see it in the 

 same light. It was, he maintained, only an added 

 proof of the evil fortune which always attended 

 him, that the accident should have happened at 

 that precise moment — for had he not with the 

 greatest care managed all day to keep himself dry? 

 And would not another five minutes have seen us 

 started on our homeward journey ? 



I apologised, and agreed that there was reason 

 in what he said, and forthwith retreated to the 

 pleasant occupation of laying out the fish upon 

 the grass — a duty in which, my brothers aver, I 

 ever find a pleasure ; loving to handle the speckled 

 beauties as I arrange them with squared tails on 

 the greensward at lunch-time or at the end of the 

 day. I found that we had quite a respectable 

 bag, having nearly seventy fish between us, which 

 averaged fully four to the pound. 



The following day, however, this record was 



