286 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



the reins as to give him the impression that you are doubtful as 

 to the issue of the struggle. Should you do so, depend upon it 

 he will discover the weak point in your treatment, and, seeing 

 that with him it is a matter of life and death, make the most of 

 it. A steady, consistent pressure, regulated, as regards force, 

 by the strength of rod and tackle, will do more to insure the 

 speedy capture of a salmon than any other expedient. 



A PECK O' TROUBLES. 



GI'E me my gaud, my guid auld gaud, 



The wan' I lo'e sae rarely ; 

 But faith, gudewife, its unco thraw'd, 



Ye haena used it fairly 1 



ii. 



The bairns ! plague tak the thievin' things ! 



They play the very deevil ; 

 Wha 'd think, they 've hash'd my lav'rock-wings, 



An' ta'en my mennin-sweevil 1 



in. 



They 've made sair wark amang the flees, 



There 's neither huik nor hackle ; 

 What 's a' the guid o' brew or breeze 



An' no ae skein o' tackle ? 



IV. 



But hinnie, whar 's my muckle reel ? 



Gi'e up yer cloots and needle 

 I wudna lose my honest wheel 



For a' the wives in Tweeddale. 



