LOCH AWE 141 



response to every movement of the boat as she 

 bounded over the waves. When rowing, he took 

 such tiny strokes that it was impossible for him 

 to make much headway against any considerable 

 amount of wind ; consequently he always advocated 

 stopping on the north or near side of the Pass of 

 Brander, affirming that that was the best fishing 

 ground. 



However, Archie could not always keep on the 

 safe side, and on one occasion he got caught coming 

 home across the Pass. I happened to be in the 

 bows of the boat at the time, the stern end being 

 occupied by another angler and his wife. A strong 

 north-west wind sprang up, which made it exceed- 

 ingly awkward to row broadside to the swell ; and 

 by the time we had fairly reached the middle, a 

 white squall came tearing down upon us, causing 

 the waves to rise to an alarming height. Although 

 it seemed advisable to relieve Archie of the oars — 

 as he was evidently getting much excited — the risk 

 of changing places was too great. 



By that time the lady of the party, who was of 

 a highly nervous temperament, had quite lost control 

 of herself, and considered that every moment would 

 be our last — in fact, she evinced a strong inclination 



