CHAPTER IX 



" Dinna let the Sherra' ken 

 Donald Caird is come again." SCOTT. 



IF I were to write an account of half the poach- 

 ing tricks that are common to all Salmon 

 rivers, I should produce a book, the dimen- 

 sions of which would terrify the public, even 

 in this pen-compelling age. 



In times when water bailiffs in Tweed had very 

 small salaries, they themselves were by no means 

 scrupulous about the observance of close time, but 

 partook of the good things of the river in all seasons, 

 lawful or unlawful. There is a man now, I believe, 

 living at Selkirk, who in times of yore used certain 

 little freedoms with the Tweed Act, which did not 

 become the virtue of his office. As a water bailiff 

 he was sworn to tell of all he saw ; and indeed, as 

 he said, it could not be expected that he should tell 

 of what he did not see. 



When his dinner was served up during close time, 

 his wife usually brought to the table in the first 

 place a platter of potatoes and a napkin ; she then 

 bound the latter over his eyes that nothing might 

 offend his sight. This being done, the illegal salmon 

 was brought in smoking hot, and he fell to, blind- 

 folded as he was, like a conscientious water bailiff 

 if you know what that is ; nor was the napkin taken 



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