62 THE WATERSIDE FOR ME ! 



as the Scots call them; but modern meteorologists 

 recognise, if they cannot account for, the fact that in 

 the second week of April, corresponding to the begin- 

 ning of the month, Old Style, there usually occurs a 

 spell of rough, cold weather such as is typical of 

 March. 



XVIII 



One of the surest sources of zest in enjoyment con- 

 Tfce water- sists in contrast, as I realised to the full one 

 side for me! April morning lately, staggering waist-deep 

 over the slippery boulders which pave access to the 

 famous salmon cast called Linloskin. I had left 

 seething London overnight, summoned by a telegram 

 bringing welcome tidings that the river was in full 

 spate. For the long drought had broken at last ; the 

 wind, that had been nailed in the shrill north for a 

 fortnight, had shifted to the south-east and veered 

 through the rainy quarters, sending down the hill 

 burns each with its foaming tribute to the main river ; 

 so that there was free course for spring salmon to run 

 through the many perils that beset them in the firth. 

 Could there be more perfect contrast than that between 

 the scene around me and that which I had left behind ? 

 No more grinding roar of motor-'buses, no more cease- 

 less din and jostle of the streets; only the sound of 

 rushing water, the sighing of the westland breeze, the 

 anxious peewit's cry, and the curlew's wilder whistle. 

 Trust me, I was not ungrateful for the change; yet 

 there is always that amari aliquid to tinge one's 



