102 THE SCOTTISH ANGLER. 



to Mr Hogg, who, with his true Border hospitality, 

 invites his friends to wash it down with a sober jug of 

 that true preventive of colds and rheumatisms, whisky 

 t)ddy. The more rustic groups repair, some to the 

 Gordon Arms, and others to their own dwellings, to 

 enjoy the comforts of a huge fire and hot supper. 



Leistering in Scotland, in broad rivers like the 

 Tweed, is sometimes practised from a boat ; and, in 

 the Solway Firth, where the tides run rapid and the 

 water is shallow, a horse was wont to be employed. 

 We believe the method of spearing fish from the saddle 

 is still in vogue, and can easily believe, that, although 

 followed for profit, it affords no small or ignoble amuse- 

 ment among such perilous and unsteady sands as those 

 which occur in the south-western districts of Scotland. 



THE LEISTER SONG. 



F" ashes the blood-red gleam 



Over the midnight slaughter, 

 Wild shadows haunt the stream, 



Dark forms glance o'er the water. 

 It is the leisterer's cry ! 



A salmon, ho ! oho ! 

 In scales of light the creature bright 



Is glimmering below. 



Murmurs the low cascade, 



The tall trees stand so saintly, 

 Under their quiet shade 



The river whispers faintly. 

 It is the leisterer's cry ! 



The salmon, ho ! oho ! 

 A shining path the water hath, 



Behind the shape of snow. 



Glances the shining spear 



From harmless hands unheeded ; 

 On, in its swift career, 



The dream-like fish hath speeded. 



