22 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



garies of the latter, a newly hooked grilse, prevented 

 any amicable crossing of rods, such as is generally 

 adopted on similar occasions. Besides, the other 

 angler seemed determined to keep his ground, and 

 preserve the full altitude of his rod, although Otter's 

 run of line was considerably the longer. The spot 

 where this fellow, a surly poacher from the neigh- 

 bourhood of Hawick, happened to stand, was a 

 small ledge of rock running into a deep, dangerous 

 eddy of water. Although requested by Otter to 

 alter his position and lower his rod, both of which 

 he might have done without the slightest risk of 

 losing the fish, he notwithstanding thought proper 

 to remain obstinately immoveable. Time, however, 

 was not to be thrown aside, the line of our worthy 

 friend being pretty far spent, and the salmon in no 

 mood to be thwarted. Accordingly, enraged at the 

 hinderance offered by the sulky and determined rustic, 

 Otter in rather angry terms ordered him a second 

 time to move out of his way. This demand not 

 being complied with, our incensed angler took it at 

 once into his head to trip up the fellow's heels, in such 

 a manner that he popped directly into the river, 

 and commenced floundering for his life in the midst 

 of the rapid current. There arose a. sort of dilemma 

 to our friend, who was forthwith called upon to 

 hesitate betwixt the poacher and the salmon; and 

 really, thought he, if to save the one I must relin- 

 quish the other, it is no gain to me. Accordingly, he 

 continued at his fish, notwithstanding the impreca- 



