NOVEL METHOD OF FISHING. 141 



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 considerable 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 



