102 WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



I was soon seated in an apron-dusted chair, and, 

 while the kettle was receiving the necessary atten- 

 tion, I was taking mental note of the unusually 

 comfortable home. An open door showed a boarded- 

 floor bedroom, with quite a capacious bed that had 

 a many-coloured coverlet which constantly brought 

 my eyes back to it, although it was present to my 

 mind that it would be more becoming to keep my 

 eyes in any other direction. 



Truth is frequently so strange that I have no 

 appreciation for those who think it necessary to 

 make a call on their imagination to paint it. 

 Indeed, you have at times to ask for much faith 

 to get facts believed ; still I never hesitate, but 

 boldly state them as they occurred. 



I was early taught not to say, " Upon my 

 honour," and that to be disbelieved was not half 

 so bad as to be disbelieving. King David in his 

 haste and Commissioner Kerr at his leisure have 

 said, "All men are liars!" Anglers have no 

 grievance against these eminent authorities, but 

 we should like now and again to protest against 

 the common belief that we have special gifts in the 

 art of saying that which is not, and doubling that 

 which is. 



Strange compensation for our ill repute lies in 

 the fact that anglers are listened to more eagerly 

 than the followers of any other sport. Can the 

 reason be that with us what is false is palpably so, 

 and what is true is equally apparent ? 



