UPPER POOLS. 15 



can generally be seen, during the early morning, 

 drawn up high and dry on the shingly beach near 

 the bridge pool. This luxury, however, is re- 

 served almost exclusively for the ladies, and as it 

 draws very little water, can be navigated by the 

 skilful boatman who always accompanies them 

 himself one of the best fishermen on the Spey 

 in perfect safety over all the rapids as far as the 

 sea ; but its return journey next morning is 

 necessarily by road. A horse and cart, especially 

 adapted for the purpose, meet it at the Tugnet, 

 and convey it back to its usual station near the 

 bridge. Sometimes a similar expedition takes 

 place up the river, when " the overland route " 

 being first accomplished, the fair anglers descend 

 the stream from Boat o' Brig, passing the beauti- 

 ful scenery on the right bank, which I have 

 already described, and trying their fortune in the 

 Couperee, the Chapel pool, the Rock pool, or the 

 Greenbank, on the downward voyage, and seldom 

 without considerable success. 



You will conclude therefore, and truly, that, 

 like my friend the heron, I am a wader; and 

 indeed, without any desire to depreciate the ad- 

 vantages attending the use of a boat on certain 

 rivers, or denying its absolute necessity on others, 

 such as the Tay and the Tweed, yet every expe- 



