THE VALE OF GALA. 29 



ran low and clear. This is reckoned one of the 

 best pools on this water. Many a good run I 

 have got myself, and many as capital have I 

 been witness to. The last good one I saw 

 about twelve years ago ; I offered the old man 

 5s. for the fish while on the line, and to take 

 my chance of his landing it. He said little, for 

 I never saw a more exciting run ; the whole of his 

 line out, and the fish l scudding under favour- 

 ing gales,' many yards sometimes over the very- 

 top of the water, and the line meanwhile not 

 being seen ; when landed, for I gaffed it myself, 

 I renewed my offer with addition, but the old 

 man resisted, shook his head, and said l Na, I'll 

 just een tak it hame and let the guidwife see't.' 

 It proved to be a button er l fish of twenty 

 pounds. Where are such fish now ? Echo 

 answers, where ! The next stream which can 

 be fished from the side, after you pass the Hurl, 

 is immediately opposite the Cottage. This modest 

 dwelling, the scene of many a blythe night of 

 meeting, has been the place of rendezvous of an 

 old fishing club these thirty years bygone ; and 

 of all places for a fishing station it is one of 



1 These buttoner fish are so called from an exterior 

 mark, like a button, on their throat. ' Grey Scliule 'fish. 



