BEGUILING A VETERAN. 295 



mid-day, whilst the " otter " boat had been busily 

 engaged, and to all appearance, had been much 

 more successful. After noon, however, the prospect 

 speedily brightened as the brilliancy of the sun's 

 reflections were temporised by passing clouds brought 

 up by a smart breeze. Now we turned our attention 

 to the known haunt of a good fish, whose habitual 

 resting-place we were well acquainted with. On our 

 way we rose and hooked into a grilse by a random 

 cast, this was picked up safely. The " good " fish 

 however, was good enough to inspect, and reject the 

 sombre-hued lure proffered. We, therefore, presented 

 a more attractively dressed fly, but to no purpose ; 

 bright and gay, dark and dim, were severally ignored, 

 we thereupon leave with the inward resolve of an 

 attempt to re-open negotiations later on. The boat 

 is now steered in the direction of a fish seen moving 

 in the vicinity, this is ultimately moved and missed. 

 At Sandy's (the water-keeper) suggestion, who is in 

 charge of the boat, we now visit the adopted home 

 of a wondrous fish he described as having acquired a 

 reputation for eluding the gaff, though not so vigilant, 

 it would appear, in evading the hook. The hollow 

 side of a sunk boulder, the top of which was just 

 discernible above the water, was pointed out as being 

 his usual position, and after having elicited what 

 further information we could get as to the way he 

 lay, we selected and fitted the best and most reliable 

 single gut lash from the book, furnishing with a 

 monster red-sterned humble bee, for which we were 

 informed he had already displayed a weakness. This 



