34 



A SCOTTISH FLY-FISHER 



bewildered on the bank and watch my quarry while, in 

 his efforts to escape, he leisurely proceeds to exercise 

 the appalling ingenuity for which he is distinguished. 

 And his purpose is easily accomplished ; few and 

 simple are the devices to which he finds it needful to 

 resort. Immediate success, it is true, does not invari- 

 ably attend him, but if, when apparently exhausted and 

 about to yield, he suddenly renews the struggle to be 

 free, he is sure to catch me unprepared. Taken by 

 surprise I part with what little wit is left me, — and, 

 flaunting a triumphant tail, he is away. 



Mr. Lang's waders some- 

 times admit water. How is 

 it discharged ? If in a mo- 

 ment of forgetfulness or in his 

 eagerness to reach a rising fish 

 he has gone beyond his depth, 

 and filled his waders to the 

 brim, has he climbed laborious- 

 ly up the bank and, lying on 

 his back, raised legs into the air under the im- 

 pression — which he quickly and unpleasantly found 

 to be erroneous — that the water would escape as it 

 had gone in .'* 



