A SLIGHT EMBARRASSMENT. 



131 



" Demnition hard that, sir. What an extraordinary 

 incident ! Fish well managed, dexterously, artistically. 

 Very odd indeed, sir: beautifully played ; — fine rod, 

 fine hand. Demnition hard, I must say. Now how far 

 must I go to get a line ? " 



" If you mean to get the same, probably to the middle 

 of the Irish Channel, or the mouth of the Shannon ; 

 but if you seek a new one, which I think would be the 

 most prudent course, walk up to the road, and you will 

 see a mile-stone, which says, * To Inverness 120 miles,' 

 — exactly a mile for every yard of line you have lost, 

 and I am sorry for it." 



Casting the fly is a knack, and cannot well be taught 

 but by experience : the spring of the rod should do the 

 chief work, and not the labour of your arm. To effect 



K 2 



