THE "WHUSTLER " 239 



we should be equally well -placed on 

 Voil. So I answered : 



" Let's wait a little, and see where the 

 breeze is to come from. It will probably 

 be either from the east or from the 

 west." 



" Ay : that's so," said the gillie. 

 " There's never a north or a sooth wind 

 on they lochs. The cloud-carry may be 

 frae ane o' they airts ; but the hills block 

 the wind, and it aye soops up or doon the 

 glen." 



I laid aside the rod, and prepared to 

 smoke. 



"That's a dainty bit wand," said 

 Ronald, taking up the rod and making 

 a gingerly cast. " Nae mair than nine 

 feet long, I'se warrant ; and as licht as a 

 heron's feather." 



" Only five ounces, without the reel," 

 I answered proudly. "It is a present 

 from America. Built-cane, you see, and 

 quite strong — the friend who gave it to 

 me says there's not a trout fit to break 

 it in this over-rated island." 



