CANTING THE BOAT 24! 



mention that I once put the canting pole into the 

 hands of an English gentleman, who was a good 

 rower, and, as he asserted, a good punter also. We 

 were sunning a strong stream called the Carrywheel, 

 and I had placed Charles Purdie at its gorge, to 

 leister such fish as might attempt to pass up it from 

 the fright given by the disturbance below. In a few 

 seconds the head of the boat, not being held straight 

 up the stream, went round like a shot, and so down 

 the river. My friend was perfectly confused, and 

 did not know what on earth should be done ; so, as 

 we were losing way rapidly, I took the pole and 

 brought her head up again. Still he would not give 

 in, and was determined to have another trial. Well, 

 he pushed here, and he pushed there, and with 

 these strenuous efforts succeeded in describing pretty 

 accurately in his course what in Gothic architecture 

 is called the zigzag moulding, losing way, however, 

 at every angle. 



Not having taken any notice of the objects on the 

 banks, he did not precisely know whereabouts he 

 was ; but his exertions, simply as exertions, were 

 highly laudable. When he had permitted the boat 

 to fall down into easy water, he had some little com- 

 mand over her, and of this he was right proud. As 

 time was precious, I resumed the command, and put 

 the boat up again with my leister. When we came 

 up to the fisherman, my novice said, with consider- 

 able exultation, " Charlie, did you see me cant ? " 



" Houte, toute, mon, you canna cant ava ; she 

 was aye ganging doon," was the uncourteous re- 

 sponse. 



