248 THE BOAT SUNK. 



resumed our sport ; I, Harry Otter, stood as before at 

 the head of the boat, and the other men in their allotted 

 places ; we passed pretty swiftly down the streams, 

 broadside in front, striking many fish, till we came 

 near the Elfin Burn, when, observing that the water- 

 break in the centre of the river, caused by a concealed 

 rock, was more gentle than usual, I thought the boat 

 would strike, so I called out to Charlie for caution. 



" Houte, toute, he mun let her gang ; there is plenty 

 of water to take her over." 



Charlie Purdie was never more mistaken in his life ; 

 the stream drove us downward at a rapid race, not- 

 withstanding we in some measure moderated it by 

 capping our best with the leisters. Bang went the 

 boat's broadside right against the rock, to which she 

 stuck fast till the stream above poured into her in the 

 most effective possible style, and down she went of 

 course. The water, however, was by no means deep ; 

 but those fish, which we had taken since the load went 

 home, found their way again into the river, and began 

 to vanish down the streams. Being deprived of life, 

 they went passively along, followed by all the boat's 

 crew, who rushed about and charged with their leisters, 

 " hurry, hurry, spalsh, spalsh," till they fished out most 

 of them, the remainder being left to solace the eels. This 

 in common parlance would be called a disaster ; a sort of 

 shipwreck in miniature ; but judging from the merri- 

 ment it excited, it might be deemed the best sport of 

 the night. 



Whilst these gambols were carrying on, and the men 

 were rolling about in the waters, after the guise of sea 



