A SLIGHT EMBARRASSMENT 139 



consenting party to the tune of 120 yards. Now it is 

 a wholesome rule to make fast the end of the line, 

 by running it through a hole in the cylinder of the 

 reel, and tying some knots at the extremity to secure 

 it ; and as this rule is wholesome, so it has been 

 practised time immemorial by all sagacious persons, 

 and even by some who are not very sagacious. But 

 there are exceptions to all rules, and our man had 

 neglected this caution ; consequently, the line, being 

 all run out, vanished at once through the rings of the 

 rod, and streamed fair and ample below the surface 

 of the water. The mermaid may, but that line shall 

 no terrestrial ever see again. 



' Demnition hard that, sir. What an extra- 

 ordinary incident ! Fish well managed, dexterously, 

 artistically. Very odd indeed, sir : beautifully 

 played ; fine rod, fine hand. Demnition hard, I 

 must say. Now how far must I go to get a line ? ' 



' If you mean to get the same, probably to the 

 middle of the Irish Channel, or the mouth of the 

 Shannon ; but if you seek a new one, which I think 

 would be the most prudent course, walk up to the 

 road, and you will see a mile-stone, which says, 

 ' To Inverness 120 miles ' exactly a mile for 

 every yard of line you have lost, and I am sorry 

 for it." 



Casting the fly is a knack, and cannot well be 

 taught but by experience : the spring of the rod 

 should do the chief work, and not the labour of your 

 arm. To effect this, you should lay the stress as 

 near the hand as possible, and make the wood un- 

 dulate from that point ; which is done by keeping 



