HIGGINBOTHAM BROKE. 12: 



directions. To crown all, Walter kept me in a 

 perspiration by making as if he would throw for the 

 fish, which, by anticipation, I considered as my property. 

 At length I collected my senses, and my flies also ; and 

 it is a wonder that I did so, as the said fish continued 

 his gambols, and repeatedly claimed my attention. 



Now then for it. The cast being narrow at the 

 throat, I began with a short line, which I kept length- 

 ening as it got wider ; for so it became me. I came 

 now, step by step, to the spot where I expected to do 

 for the fish. Excited as I was, I flung with spirit ; 

 but the fly alighted not upon the wave ; far from it ; 

 it attached itself most perfectly to a birch-tree in my 

 rear, and crack went my top-varnished Higginbotham. 

 Thus I was at once discomfited almost in the arms of 

 victory. Being totally driven from my propriety, I 

 cannot be answerable for what I said or did : something- 

 very sublime it was, no doubt ; but let that pass. Cer- 

 tain it was that each particular hair of my head stood 

 on end with horror. As I had spare tops to my rod, I 

 soon set all to rights again. But throw, and throw as I 

 would, the salmon would not "come and be killed;" so I 

 gave up the unreasonable brute at last as unattainable. 

 Nor could the Scotchman make any hand of him after- 

 wards. In fishermen's language, I had set him down. 



The tail of the cast now grew broader, and it was 

 necessary to wade ; so in I went, " accoutred as I was ;" 

 that is to say, in light, flimsy walking shoes, without 

 nails. I soon perceived that the wet stones were slip- 

 pery and treacherous beyond endurance, and that my 

 shoes had no adhesive qualities. My untutored feet 



