140 ANGLING & ART IN SCOTLAND 



the whole gang. I had the misfortune once to fall 

 out with one of them through an absurd misunder- 

 standing, and was consequently boycotted and 

 unable to get a gillie to come out with me for 

 several days ; and in the end only got a man to 

 volunteer who was a fresh arrival — one who cared 

 naught for the vagaries of the others. Some of 

 them were much addicted to whisky ; one man 

 especially, who was as smart and capable a boatman 

 as one could wish to meet, entirely threw away his 

 chances owing to that unfortunate failing. Taking 

 them all round, however, they were trustworthy, 

 experienced men, as they should be on a large and 

 stormy lake like Loch Awe. 



Old Archie, a quaint old Highlander, who had 

 not at all times acted as a boatman, may be cited 

 as an exception to the rule. He was short in 

 stature, and stout, with little fat brown hands, and 

 very short arms that stood out from his sides as 

 though they had been fastened on too tightly at 

 the shoulder joints. To see him seated in the stern 

 of your boat, viewed from the coign of vantage of 

 the steam launch when towing the boats to the 

 fishing ground, was indeed a sight to rejoice the 

 eyes, as his fat face and figure jellied about in 



