266 TROUT FISHING 



North Sea, if we did not turn into Tweed 

 or Tyne, there would be no reason why 

 we should not run up the Thames and 

 make an involuntary appearance before 

 the Terrace of the House of Commons. 



It may be that I overestimated the 

 risks suggested by the broad torrent of 

 the Balvaig glittering in the light of the 

 fuliginous moon. I know not. All 1 

 know is that when the potentialities of the 

 case burst upon a mind excited by many 

 hours of struggle and high hope I re- 

 solved upon an uncompromising measure. 

 Come what might, the whustler must not 

 enter the Balvaig. He must stay in Voil. 



" Stop the boat, Ronald," I said, in 

 commanding voice, when, every inch of 

 the line out, I saw the salmon meander- 

 ing very near a sandbank over which 

 the water of the loch was in motion 

 towards the river. 



Then, instead of holding the rod erect, 

 I held it straight out. Followed a game 

 of pull-devil, pull-baker. The real mean- 

 ing of this phrase was unknown to me ; 



