142 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



position," continued the maestro, " you must furl 

 your line thus." So saying, he gave the handker- 

 chief a knowing whisk, which extinguished both the 

 candles. Thus he argued with all his might, feeding 

 the young Oxonian with scientific maxims, who 

 promised that he would furl his line, and fish mathe- 

 matically. 



The next morning no one could start with a fairer 

 prospect of sport than the said novice. He was 

 accompanied by Allan Beg, or Little Allan, because 

 he was told it was quite impossible for him to catch 

 a salmon without his assistance ; and he was taught 

 how to kill his fish " par raison demonstrative." 

 But throw as he would, furl as he might, he could 

 by no means manage to keep his fly always at right 

 angles to his rod, although he was a most excellent 

 mathematician. At length, after having lost seven 

 favourite flies, and two casting lines, he broke out 

 in unqualified abuse of the system ; which so enraged 

 his " gentle brother of the angle," that high words 

 arose, and they were on the point of committing the 

 duello on those very sands where it is said Prince 

 Charles drew up his forces. My friend was asked to 

 act as impartial second to both parties, which he 

 consented to, on condition only that they should 

 stand and fire so that the balls might cross at right 

 angles to each other. But " Etes-vous fou," said 

 he to the Oxonian ; " de Taller quereller, lui qui 

 entend les angles, et qui sait tuer un saumon par 

 raison demonstrative ? ' At this good humour 

 returned, and each party fished the rest of the day 

 according to the angles that best, suited his fancy, 

 without let or argument. 



