CANTING THE BOAT. 229 



see or strike a fish at a greater depth ; but in sunning 

 I have sometimes tied a light rope to the top of the 

 pole, and gone deeper than this with success, but then 

 it was when the river was unusually clear. The op- 

 posite woodcut represents the cleik and the leister : the 

 latter is rather narrower, and altogether of a neater 

 make than those in general use. 



In burning, the boat is managed with this leister ; but 

 no one can make use of it in this way who has not 

 learnt to work it with a pole, — which art is termed 

 canting, and is, I believe, little understood except in the 

 Tweed : in the Tay and the Annan they know nothing 

 of the matter. Now the pole is not used as in punting ; 

 but the man who manages the boat, instead of shifting 

 his place, stands up or sits down at the stern ; he keeps 

 his eye upon her head, and forces her straight up the 

 rapids, pressing the pole in the direction in which he 

 would steer with a rudder. This is in a great measure 

 effected with a twist of the body. If he does not keep 

 her straight in her course, the current takes her at the 

 side, whips her round in an instant, and down she goes, 

 the deuce knows where, head foremost; nor can you 

 resume your position till you again bring her head up 

 the stream. 



In forcing your boat up very strong water, at every 

 fresh thrust you must catch up the pole and put it in 

 again very quickly ; for when you are not pushing the 

 boat will recede if the rapids are heavy, and thus you 

 may lose way. This, I think, can be done better by sit- 

 ting than standing, as you are nearer your work. In 



Q 3 



