112 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING. 



of Wat Tinlinn he was to look at. The whole affair 

 seemed so primitive, — there was such an absolute indi- 

 gence of ornament, and poverty of conception, that I 

 felt somewhat fastidious about it. I could not, how- 

 ever let a brother of the craft pass unnoticed, albeit 

 somewhat rude in his attire ; so, " What sport," said 

 I, " my good friend ? " 



" I canna say that I ha'e had muckle deversion ; for 

 she has quite fallen in, and there wull be no good fish- 

 ing till there comes a spate." 



Now, after this remark, I waxed more proud of my 

 success; but I did not come down upon him at once with 

 it, but said somewhat slily, and with mock modesty — 



" Then you think there is not much chance for any 

 one, and least of all for a stranger like myself." 



" I dinna think the like o' ye can do muckle ; though 

 I will no say but ye may light on a wee bit trout, or 

 maybe on a happening fish. That's a bonnie little 

 wand you've got ; and she shimmers so with varnish, 

 that I'm thinking that when she's in the eye o' the 

 sun, the fish will come aneath her, as they do to the 

 blaze in the water." 



Sandy was evidently lampooning my Higginbotham. 

 I therefore replied, that she certainly had more shining 

 qualities than were often met with on the northern 

 side of the Tweed. At this personality, my pleasant 

 friend took out a large mull from his pocket, and ap- 

 plying a copious quantity of its contents to his nose, 

 very politely responded — 



" Ye needna fash yoursel' to observe aboot the like 

 o' her ; she is no worth this pinch o' snuff." 



He then very courteously handed his mull to me. 



