12 THE SALT OF MY LIFE 



rarely be any need to start from shore with the 

 least evidence of a coming change in the sky. 

 Certain simple rules of safety also govern the 

 manner of getting in and out of boats, of launch- 

 ing or returning on open beaches, of climbing 

 over slippery rocks, or of handling such fishes as 

 are armed with spines willing to wound and not 

 afraid to strike. Now and then one meets with 

 a man who wilfully disregards these precautions 

 and reckons himself a better sportsman for doing 

 so. (In reality, that word " sportsman " is sadly 

 in need of revision. Indeed, I am looking for- 

 ward with curiosity to its definition in the New 

 English Dictionary now in course of publication.) 

 Such a man is a fool, and for folly like his there 

 is but one remedy. Whether your sport be 

 motoring, big game shooting, or skating, danger 

 should always be avoided where possible. There 

 are but two forms of recreation in which to court 

 it is to command applause ; these are mixed 

 hockey and football. 



Discomfort, as has already been said, means 

 differently to different people. The luncheon- 

 basket does not as a rule contain champagne and 

 truffles, but it may do so without having any 

 prejudicial effect on sport, provided you catch 

 your fish first and lunch on the way home. The 

 smacks and luggers, in which we usually go 

 a'fishing, are not as a rule fitted out in imitation 



