LOCH-FISHING 



157 



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aside his rod and seek consolation in that never-failing 

 comforter, the pipe ; nor, withdrawing to the shade of 



a convenient tree, find alleviation 

 of his grief in sleep. Whether 

 fish are on the move or not, his 

 efforts are sustained. Though 

 continuous casting on a blank 

 and unresponsive water damps 

 the ardour of the most sanguine, 

 hope never entirely deserts him. 

 He maintains a Mark Tapleyan cheerfulness in the 

 most adverse and depressing of circumstances, and 

 continues to "peg away," certain that where there are 

 trout his industry is not all in vain. He secures an 

 occasional fish which the indolent would inevitably 

 miss. 



The secret of my own good luck was once revealed 

 to me by a candid boatman. 



" I ken noo," said he, when we had been several 

 days together, '* hoo ye catch sae mony mair fish than 

 ony ither body." 



" Why ? " I asked, anticipating a compliment. 

 "It's juist," was the reply, "because ye're never 

 done. Ye're aye cast, castin', an' ye canna lay doon 

 yer rod even when ye're at yer lunch," 



