NOVEL METHOD OF FISHING. 1G1 



some hundred yards; that is to say, from " The Webbs," 

 above Craigover Boat Hole in the Mertoun-water, half 

 way up to Maxwell Burn foot. Believe me, it was a 

 pleasant thing to behold. My friend would not be 

 denied. Master Salmo Salar, and he was a lusty one, 

 would not accept, but acknowledged the courteous 

 tender of Michael Scott at every cast, in the manner I 

 have described. Thus, they held correspondence with 

 each other a cousiderable time without coming in con- 

 tact. At length piscator began to suspect that the 

 repulsive qualities were on his side, and the attractive 

 ones only on the part of the fugitive, who knew, 



•" but how it mattered not, 



It was the wizard Michael Scott." 



So he turned his back upon him reluctantly; but, 

 casting a lingering look behind, he could not forbear 

 returning and doubling his defeat. This fish had 

 probably been touched by a fly before. 



That night, the hostel being full, we slept in a 

 double-bedded room. At the dead hour of twelve I 

 was awakened by loud cries of " I have him, I have 

 him ! " — " Hold him fast then," said I, for I thought he 

 had collared a thief ; but in truth he had not : he had 

 only got hold of the bell-rope, and was fishing away 

 with it in his dreams, with a salmon, of course, at the 

 end of it. Luckily he did not arouse the Maritornes 

 of the inn : no bell having ever been attached to the 

 pull, which was a mere matter of ornament. 



The first thing to be considered in rod fishing is 

 the state of the water proper for the sport ; and I beg 

 that it may all along be borne in mind that my obser- 



