186 Wading boots. Chapt. xiv. 



a fish you have been very intent on, and waded in to get 

 at, that your fly book, or some other valuable, has been 

 thoroughly soaked the while. 



The stony bottom, with its rounded boulders, is often 

 very slippery, and as you see the native naked foot slips 

 less than a shoe you may be tempted to wear thin shoes, 

 so as to give you the better foot-hold. I tried thin 

 racket shoes, but was very soon convinced of my mis- 

 take. Under water you cannot always see where you 

 put your foot, and you are watching your fly etc., and 

 have to feel the bottom with the foot, and you are some- 

 times in a little hurry, for life is not long enough for 

 dawdling, and then you bring your unprotected foot 

 against a rock, and generally right on the top of your 

 pet corn. "I never knew a dear gazelle" etc. But what 

 is worst of all is when you get your unprotected foot 

 jammed by the weight of your body between two rocks: — 

 that will decide you in favour of thick boots. 



Have good heavy boots then, with the sole a trifle 

 broader than the foot, and of a good thickness. I mean 

 the boots commonly made with a sort of open verandah 

 all round the foot. Ankle boots are a protection to the 

 ankle from being bruised, and also from being turned and 

 sprained; laced boots, best protect the ankle. In short 

 "the Alpine boot" is about the most comfortable you can 

 have. 



Walking amongst the rocks in, and on the edge of, a 

 river is a galloping consumption of boots. Nails are an 

 antidote. But too many nails make the sole slippery. 



