90 GAMEKEEPERS AND GILLIES 



first of a long succession in that and following years. 

 Against most gillies one has to record the loss of a fish 

 now and then, but Sandy's hand and eye were unerring. 

 I cannot recall a single instance of his bungling a chance 

 with the gaff. 



Skilful and attentive as Sandy was in the capacity of 

 gillie, his value as a companion was greatly enhanced by 

 his conversation, his sense of humour, and his knowledge 

 of local lore. I once asked him whether he had known 

 Robert Dick, the Thurso baker, botanist, and naturalist, 

 whose fine collection of old red sandstone fossils is pre- 

 served in the Geological Museum, Jermyn Street, and of 

 whom the late Dr. Smiles wrote such an excellent and 

 sympathetic biography. 



' Oh, I mind Robert fine,' said Sandy. ' Well do I mind 

 him : a good man, but a bad baker. He just ruined him- 

 self with his fancies, letting the bread spoil in the baking 

 while he was ta'en up wi' some auld-warl' doctrine. There 

 was a neighbour passed him one day howking and ham- 

 mering in Gerston Quarry yonder. "A fine day, Robert," 

 he cried. " What are ye seeking there ? " " Fish," quo' 

 Robert, and went on wi' his work. " Queer kind o' fish in 

 a place like yon," said the other, and away he went down 

 the road to Thurso, telling a' the folk that Robert Dick, 

 the baxter, had gone clean demented, seeking fish wi' a 

 hammer in Gerston Quarry ! ' 



I feel that it is idle to attempt Sandy's portraiture 

 divorced from the environment of that strange land of 

 Caithness, whence winter, the season when I know it best, 

 seems to banish not only all token but all promise of 

 verdure. I shall not forget the last time I saw Sandy 

 beside the river he knew so thoroughly and loved so well. 



