15 



change of instruction. I want a gillie with a better power of 

 imparting knowledge than n>ine, one who can make me do the Spey 

 cast. (The old ' Rod ' began to eat his moustaclie). It's so horrid to 



try, tr}-, tr)-, in iiresence of a lot of " 



"Ten thousand pardons (interposed the old gentleman), but it 

 would be so sweet of you to let us thresh out the present subject 

 first. Do you mind ? I'm sorry you dropped in so late, or you might 



have got a wrinkle or two ; I 1 mean a hint or two on using flies 



dressed absolutely up to date." 



"What! I give up dear old 'Jf)ck'? Oh! Inconceivable! 

 Think of the sacrifice. Remember it has taken eleven fish out of mv 

 fifteen ; and didn't you say that ' Jock's ' particular combination of 

 colours made clear the fact that originality of design and independ- 

 ence of thought were the inventor's end in view ? Rut still, I won't 

 interrupt you for all the world. Pray continue. Tra, la, la ; it sha'n't 

 occur again." 



(Fifteen fish, it might have been fifty, or even more.) 

 " That's all very nice, but since then we ha\e made wonderful 

 discoveries. We have discovered, for instance, that the methods of 

 the fly-fisher are no longer irrational, and amongst other things, that 

 the life of a fashionable fly is now of limited duration. Fashions 

 change in e\cr\- walk of life, and those of our kindred who refuse to 

 make an effort to keep pace with the changes, are sure to taste the 

 full bitterness of defeat. Delays are dangerous. And why should 

 you, of all others, associate yourself with men who are sure to find 

 it too late to-morrow I'erau'-c the)- regard to-day as loo soon ! " 

 " Tell me why ' Jock Scott ' has ceased to charm the fish ? " 

 "Because it has exhausted their 'patience' by constantly 



