ACROSS THE MOOR 305 



seems to have had some bad effect, only temporary 

 we hope, upon the trout. Provided that it does 

 not fall to a flat calm, we shall remain hopeful that 

 a hatch of flies will arrive, and that the surface of 

 the loch will be plentifully disturbed by the rings of 

 leaping fish. The previous conditions were calcu- 

 lated to supply moths and the like from the 

 surrounding heather, but such accidents are not to 

 be relied upon ; we infinitely prefer a less violent 

 gale, a moderate breeze, enough to make casting 

 easy. 



Slowly we proceed up wind, watching, when 

 possible, the water for a rise, but more frequently 

 choosing our steps ; for at very short intervals 

 marshy places, dangerous with black ooze, covered 

 here and there with an oily film, occur, and then 

 it is wise to decide that the long road is the shorter. 

 All along the shore, the water is extremely shallow, 

 only a foot deep twenty yards or more from the 

 bank, and not a trout is seen rising or moving away 

 in alarm at our approach. 



A great, broad bay curving round an island of 

 weeds arrests our steps, for here, if anywhere, we 

 are convinced that sport will be forthcoming, if 

 and when the rise begins. Feeling the effects of 

 the strong air of the moor, and having already 

 obtained a few beauties from the loch, we are able 

 to remain inactive for a time, listening to the green 

 plover calling ; but our eyes never wander far from 

 the water. 



Without warning, first one trout, and then 

 another, rises close to the edge of the weed-bed ; 

 their position is easily fixed, but, before we can 

 wade out far enough to lay the deadly Olive on the 



