KIND OBSERVATIONS 97 



unnoticed, albeit somewhat rude in his attire ; so, 

 " What sport," said I, " my good friend ? " 



' I canna say that I hae had muckle deversion ; 

 for she is quite fallen in, and there wull be no good 

 fishing till there comes a spate." 



Now, after this remark, I waxed more proud of 

 my success ; but I did not come down upon him 

 at once with it, but said somewhat slyly, and with 

 mock modesty 



' Then you think there is not much chance for 

 any one, and least of all for a stranger like myself." 



' I dinna think the like o' ye can do muckle ; 

 though I will no say but ye may light on a wee bit 

 trout, or may be on a happening fish. That's a 

 bonny little wand you've got ; and she shimmers 

 so with varnish, that I'm thinking that when she 

 is in the eye o' the sun the fish will come aneath her, 

 as they do to the blaze in the water." 



Sandy was evidently lampooning my Higgin- 

 botham. I therefore replied, that she certainly had 

 more shining qualities than were often met with on 

 the northern side of the Tweed. At this personality, 

 my pleasant friend took out a large mull from his 

 pocket, and, applying a copious quantity of its con- 

 tents to his nose, very politely responded 



' Ye needna fash yoursel to observe aboot the 

 like o' her ; she is no worth this pinch o' snuff." 



He then very courteously handed his mull to me. 



" Well," said I, still modestly, " she will do well 

 enough for a bungler like me." I was trolling for 

 a compliment. 



" Ay, that will she," said he. 



