buttheploughhaspassedoverallbuttheupperpastoralsolitudes。TurningagaintothedownwardslopeyouseethelochofAlemoor,smallandsullen,withAlewaterfeedingit。Nobodyknowsmuchaboutthetroutinit。"Itisreckonedtheresidenceofthewater-cow,"amonsterliketheAustralianbunyip。Therewasawater-cowinScott'slochofCauldshiels,aboveAbbotsford。Thewater-cowhasnotlatelyemergedfromAlemoortoattackthecasualangler。Youclimbagainbygentleslopestillyoureachamostdesolatetable-land。FarbeyonditistheroundtopofWhitecombe,whichagainlooksdownonSt。Mary'sLoch,anduptheMoffat,andacrosstheMeggatWater;butnoneofthesearewithintheview。
Roundarepastorumlocavasta,landsofBuccleughandBellenden,Deloraine,Sinton,Headshaw,andGlack。Deloraine,bytheway,ispronounced"Delorran,"andperhapsisnamedfromOrran,theCelticsaint。Ontherightlies,notfarfromtheroad,agreysheetofwater,andthisisClearburn,wherefirstImettheDoctor。
Theloch,tobeplain,isalmostunfishable。Itisnearlyround,andeverywhere,exceptinasmallsegmentontheeasternside,isbegirtwithreedsofgreatheight。Thesereeds,again,growinapeculiarlyuncomfortable,quaggybottom,whichrisesandfalls,orratherwhichjumpsandsinkswhenyousteponit,liketheseatofaveryluxuriousarm-chair。Moreover,thebottomispiercedwithmanysprings,whereinifyousetfootyoushallhavethrownyourlastcast。
Bywatchingthelochwhenitisfrozen,amanmightcometolearnsomethingofthesprings;but,evenso,itishardtokeepclearoftheminsummer。Nowthewindalmostalwaysblowsfromthewest,deadagainstthelittlepieceofgravellyshoreattheeasternside,sothatcastingagainstitishardworkandunprofitable。Onthisday,byararechance,thewindblewfromtheeast,thoughtheskyatfirstwasabrilliantblue,andthesunhotandfierce。I
walkedroundtotheeastside,wadedin,andcaughttwoorthreesmallfellows。Itwasslowwork,whensuddenlytherebeganthegreatestriseoftroutIeversawinmylife。Fromtheedgeofthelochasfarasonecouldclearlyseeacrossittherewasthatendlessplashingmurmur,ofallsoundsinthisworldthesweetesttotheear。Withintheviewoftheeye,oneachcast,therewereadozentroutrisingallabout,neverleaping,butseriouslyandsolemnlyfeeding。Nowismychanceatlast,Ifancied;butitwasnotso——farfromit。Imightthrowovertheverynosesofthebeasts,buttheyseldomevenglancedattheartificialfly。I
triedthemwithGreenwell'sGlory,withaMarchbrown,with"thewoodcockwingandhare-lug,"butitwasalmosttonopurpose。Ifonedidraiseafish,hemeantnotbusiness——allbut"acasualbrute,"whichbrokethealreadyweakenedpartofasmall"glued-up"
canerod。Ihadtotwistapieceofpaperroundthebrokenend,wetit,andpushitintothejoint,whereithungonsomehow,butwasnotpleasanttocastwith。Fromtwelvetohalf-pastonethegorgingwentmerrilyforward,andIsawwhatthefishwererisingat。Thewholesurfaceoftheloch,atleastontheeastside,wasabsolutelypepperedwithlarge,hideousinsects。Theyhadbiggrey-whitewings,bodiesblackasnight,andbrilliantcrimsonlegs,orfeelers,orwhatevernaturalistscallthem。Thetroutseemedasiftheycouldnothavetoomuchoftheseabominablewretches,andtheflieswereblownacrosstheloch,notsingly,butinpopulousgroups。Ihadneverseenanythingliketheminanyhook-book,norcouldIdeceivethetroutbytheprimitivedodgeoftyingaredthreadroundtheshankofadarkfly。SoIwadedout,andfelltomunchingafrugalsandwichandwatchingNature,notwithoutacigarette。
NowNatureisallverywell。IhavenothingtosayagainstherofaSunday,orwhentroutarenotrising。Butshewasnocomforttomenow。Smilingshegazedonmydiscomfiture。Thelovelylinesofthehills,curvingabouttheloch,andwiththeirdeepestdipjustoppositewhereIsat,wereallofagoldenautumnbrown,exceptinthevioletdistance。ThegrassofParnassusgrewthickandwhitearoundme,withitsmoonlighttintofgreenintheveins。Onahillsidebyabrookthecountryfolkwerewinningtheirhay,andtheirvoicesreachedmesoftlyfromfaroff。Onthelochthemarsh-fowlflashedanddipped,thewildducksplayedanddivedandrose;firstcirclinghighandhigher,then,marshalledintheshapeofaV,theymadeforAlemoor。Asolitaryheroncamequitenearme,andtriedhischancewiththefish,butIthinkhehadnoluck。
Allthisispleasanttoremember,andImaderudesketchesinthefly-leavesofacopyofHogg'spoems,whereIkeptmyflies。Butwhatjoywasthereinthiswhilethe"take"grewfainterandceasedatleastneartheshore?Outinthemiddle,wherefewfliesmanagedtofloat,thetroutwereatittilldark。Butnearshoretherewasjustonetroutwhoneverstoppedgorgingallday。Helivedexactlyoppositethenickinthedistanthills,andexactlyayardfartheroutthanIcouldthrowafly。Hewasabigone,andI
aminclinedtothinkthathewastheDevil。For,ifIhadsteppedindeeper,andthewaterhadcomeovermywadingboots,theoddsarethatmyfraildaysonearthwouldhavebeenendedbyachill,andIknewthis,andyetthatfishwentontemptingmetomyruin。
IsupposeItriedtoreachhimadozentimes,andcastahundred,butitwastonoavail。Atlength,astheafternoongrewgreyandchill,Ipitchedarockathim,bywayofshowingthatIsawthroughhisfiendishguile,andIwalkedaway。
Therewasnorisenow,andthelakewasleadenandgloomy。WhenI
reachedtheedgeofthedeepreedsItried,onceortwice,towadethroughthemwithincastingdistanceofthewater,butwasalwaysdrivenoffbythetraitorousquagginessofthesoil。Atlast,takingmycourageinbothhands,IactuallygotsonearthatI
couldthrowaflyoverthetopofthetallreeds,andthencameaheavysplash,andthewretchedlittlebrokenrodnearlydoubledup。
"Hooray,hereIamamongthebigones!"Isaid,andheldon。ItwasnowthatIlearnedthenatureofNero'sdiversionwhenhewasananglerintheLakeofDarkness。Thelochreallydiddeservetheterm"grim";thewaterherewasblack,theskywasashen,thelonggreenreedsclosedcoldaboutme,andbeyondthemtherewastroutthatIcouldnotdealwith。Forwhenhetiredofrunning,whichwassoon,hewasasfarawayasever。DrawhimthroughtheforestofreedsIcouldnot。AtlastIdidthefatalthing。Itookholdoftheline,andthen,"plop,"asthepoetsaid。Hewasoff。A
youngsportsmanonthebankwhohadjoinedmeexpressedhisartlessdisappointment。Icastovertheconfoundedreedsoncemore。
"Splash!"——theoldstory!Istucktothefish,andgothimintothewaterywood,andthenhewentwherethelosttroutgo。Nomorecameon,soIflounderedayardortwofarther,andclimbedintoawild-fowl'snest,akindofplatformofmattedreeds,allyellowandfaded。Thenestimmediatelysankdowndeepintothewater,butitstoppedsomewhere,andImadeacast。Theblackwaterboiled,andthetroutwentstraightdownandsulked。Imerelyheldon,tillatlastitseemed"timeforustogo,"andbycautioustuggingIgothimthroughthereedyjungle,and"gruppithim,"astheShepherdwouldhavesaid。Hewassimplybutdecentlywrappedround,fromsnouttotail,inveryfinewater-weeds,asinagarment。Moreover,hewasasblackasyourhat,quiteunlikethecomelyyellowtroutwholiveonthegravelinClearburn。Ithardlyseemedsensibletogetdrownedinthisgruesomekindofangling,so,leavingtheLakeofDarkness,wemadeforBuccleugh,passingthecleughwherethebuckwasta'en。Surelyitisthedeepest,thesteepest,andthegreenestcleughthatisshoneonbythesun!
Therebywemetanangler,anancientmaninhoddengrey,strollinghomefromtheRankleburn。Andwetoldhimofourbadday,andaskedhimconcerningthathideousfly,whichhadcoveredthelochandluredthetroutfromourdecentGreenwellsandMarchbrowns。
Andtheancientmanlistenedtoourdescriptionofthemonster,andHesaid:"Hoot,ay;ye'vejestforgatheredwi'theBloodyDoctor。"
This,itappears,istheBorderangler'snameforthehorribleinsect,somuchappreciatedbytrout。Sowedrovehome,whenallthegreattable-landwastouchedwithyellowlightfromariftinthewest,andallthebrokenhillslookedblueagainstthesilverygrey。Godblessthem!formancannotspoilthem,noranyrevolutionshapethemotherthantheyare。WeseethemasthefolkfromFloddensawthem,asLeydenknewthem,astheylookedtoWilliamofDeloraine,astheyshowedintheeyesofWatofHardenandofJamieTelferoftheFairDodhead。Theyhavealwaysgirdledalandofwarriorsandofpeoplefondofsong,fromtheoldestballad-makertothatScotchProbationerwhowrote,Laymehere,whereImayseeTeviotroundhismeadowsflowing,AndaboutandovermeWindsandcloudsforevergoing。
ItwasdarkbeforewesplashedthroughthefordofBorthwickWater,anddined,andwrotetoMr。AndersonofPrincesStreet,Edinburgh,forasupplyofBloodyDoctors。Butweneverhadachancetotrythem。IhavesincefishedClearburnfromaboat,butitwasnotadayofrisingfish,andnobigonescametothelanding-net。Thereareplentyintheloch,butyouneednotmakethewearyjourney;
theyarenotforyounorme。
THELADYORTHESALMON?
ThecircumstanceswhichattendedandcausedthedeathoftheHon。
HoughtonGrannomhavenotlongbeenknowntome,anditisonlynowthat,bythedeceaseofhisfather,LordWhitchurch,andtheextinctionofhisnoblefamily,Iampermittedtodivulgethefacts。Thatthetruetaleofmyunhappyfriendwilltouchdifferentchordsindifferentbreasts,Iamwellaware。Thesportsman,Ithink,willhesitatetoapprovehim;thefair,Ihope,willabsolve。Whoarewe,toscrutinisehumanmotives,andtoawardourblametoactionswhich,perhaps,mighthavebeenourown,hadopportunitybesetandtemptationbeguiledus?Thereisacertainpointatwhichthekeenestsenseofhonour,themostchivalrousaffectionanddevotion,cannotbearthestrain,butbreaklikeasalmonlineunderamasterfulstress。Thatmyfriendsuccumbed,Iadmit;thathewashisownjudge,theseverest,andpassedandexecutedsentenceonhimself,Ihavenowtoshow。
IshallneverforgettheshockwithwhichIreadinthe"Scotsman,"
under"Angling,"thefollowingparagraph:
"Tweed——StrangeDeathofanAngler——Anunfortunateeventhascastagloomoverfishersinthisdistrict。AsMr。K-,thekeeperontheB-water,wasbusyanglingyesterday,hisattentionwascaughtbysomeobjectfloatingonthestream。Hecasthisfliesoverit,andlandedasoftfelthat,theribbonstuckfullofsalmon-flies。
Mr。K-atoncehurriedup-stream,filledwiththemostlivelyapprehensions。Theseweresoonjustified。Inashallow,belowthenarrow,deepanddangerousrapidscalled"TheTrows,"Mr。K-sawasalmonleapinginaverycuriousmanner。Onacloserexamination,hefoundthatthefishwasattachedtoaline。Aboutseventyyardshigherhefound,inshallowwater,thebodyofaman,thehandstillgraspingindeaththebuttoftherod,towhichthesalmonwasfast,allthelinebeingrunout。Mr。K-atoncerushedintothestream,anddraggedoutthebody,inwhichherecognisedwithhorrortheHon。HoughtonGrannom,towhomthewaterwaslatelylet。
Lifehadbeenforsomeminutesextinct,andthoughMr。K-instantlyhurriedforDr-,thatgentlemancouldonlyattestthemelancholyfact。Thewadingin"TheTrows"isextremelydangerousanddifficult,andMr。Grannom,whowasfondoffishingwithoutanattendant,musthavelosthisbalance,slipped,andbeendraggeddownbytheweightofhiswaders。Therecentbreakingoffofthehon。gentleman'scontemplatedmarriageontheverywedding-daywillbefreshinthememoryofourreaders。"
ThiswasthestorywhichIreadinthenewspaperduringbreakfastonemorninginNovember。Iwasdeeplygrieved,ratherthanastonished,forIhaveoftenremonstratedwithpoorGrannomontherecklessnessofhiswading。ItwaswithsomesurprisethatI
received,inthecourseoftheday,aletterfromhim,inwhichhespokeonlyofindifferentmatters,ofthefishingwhichhehadtaken,andsoforth。Theletterwasaccompanied,however,byaparcel。Tearingofftheoutercover,Ifoundasealeddocumentaddressedtome,withthesuperscription,"Nottobeopeneduntilaftermyfather'sdecease。"Thisinjunction,ofcourse,Ihavescrupulouslyobeyed。ThedeathofLordWhitchurch,thelastoftheGrannoms,nowgivesmelibertytopublishmyfriend'sApologiapromorteetvitasua。
"DearSmith"thedocumentbegins,"Beforeyoureadthis——longbefore,Ihope——Ishallhavesolvedthegreatmystery——if,indeed,wesolveit。Ifthewaterrunsdownto-morrow,andthereiseveryprospectthatitwilldoso,Imusthavetheopportunityofmakingsuchanendasevenmalignitycannotsuspectofbeingvoluntary。
Thereareplentyoffishinthewater;ifIhookonein"TheTrows,"Ishallletmyselfgowhitherthecurrenttakesme。Lifehasforweeksbeenodioustome;forwhatislifewithouthonour,withoutlove,andcoupledwithshameandremorse?RepentanceI
cannotcalltheemotionwhichgnawsmeattheheart,forinsimilarcircumstancesunlikelyasthesearetooccurIfeelthatIwoulddothesamethingagain。
"Arewebutautomata,workedbysprings,movedbythestrongerimpulse,andunabletochooseforourselveswhichimpulsethatshallbe?Evennow,indecreeingmyowndestruction,doIexercisefree-will,oramIthesportofhereditarytendencies,ofmistakenviewsofhonour,ofaseemingself-sacrifice,which,perhaps,isbutselfishnessindisguise?Iblightmyunfortunatefather'soldage;Idestroythelastofanancienthouse;butIremovefromthepathofOliveDunnetheshadowthatmustrestuponthesunshineofwhatwilleventually,Itrust,beahappylife,unvexedbymemoriesofonewholovedherpassionately。DearOlive!howpure,howardentwasmydevotiontohernoneknowsbetterthanyou。ButOlivehad,Iwillnotsayafault,thoughIsufferfromit,butaquality,orrathertwoqualities,whichhavecompletedmymisery。
Lightlyasshefloatsonthestreamofsociety,themostcasualobserver,andeventheenamouredbeholder,canseethatOliveDunnehasgreatpride,andnosenseofhumour。Herdignityisheridol。
Whatmakesher,evenforamoment,thepossiblethemeofridiculeisinhereyesanunpardonablesin。Thissin,Imustwithpenitenceconfess,Ididindeedcommit。Anotherwomanmighthaveforgivenme。Iknownothowthatmaybe;Ithrowmyselfonthemercyofthecourt。But,ifanothercouldpityandpardon,toOlivethiswasimpossible。Ihaveneverseenhersincethatfatalmomentwhen,palerthanherorangeblossoms,shesweptthroughtheporchofthechurch,whileI,dishevelled,mud-stained,half-
drowned——ah!thatmemorywilltorturemeifmemoryatallremains。
Andyet,fool,maniac,thatIwas,Icouldnotresistthewild,madimpulsetolaughwhichshooktherusticspectators,andwhichinmycasewasdue,Itrust,tohystericalbutNOTunmanlyemotion。Ifanywoman,anybride,couldforgivesuchanapparentbutmostunintentionalinsult,OliveDunne,Iknew,wasnotthatwoman。Myabjectlettersofexplanation,myappealsformercy,werereturnedunopened。Herparentspitiedme,perhapshadreasonsforbeingonmyside,butOlivewasofmarble。Itisnotonlymyselfthatshecannotpardon,shewillnever,Iknow,forgiveherselfwhilemyexistenceremindsherofwhatshehadtoendure。Whenshereceivestheintelligenceofmydemise,nosuspicionwilloccurtoher;shewillnotsay"Heisfitlypunished;"butherpeaceofmindwillgraduallyreturn。
Itisforthis,mainly,thatIsacrificemyself,butalsobecauseI
cannotendurethedishonourofalaggardinloveandarecreantbridegroom。
Somuchformymotives:nowtomytale。
Thedaybeforeourwedding-dayhadbeenthehappiestinmylife。
NeverhadIfeltsocertainofOlive'saffections,neversofortunateinmyown。Wepartedinthesoftmoonlight;she,nodoubt,tofinishhernuptialpreparations;I,toseekmycouchinthelittleruralinnabovetheroaringwatersoftheBudon。{3}
Moveeastward,happyearth,andleaveYonorangesunsetfadingslow;
FromfringesofthefadedeveOh,happyplanet,eastwardgo,Imurmured,thoughtheatmosphericconditionswerenotreallythosedescribedbythepoet。
"Ah,bearmewiththee,smoothlyborne,Dipforwardunderstarrylight,Andmovemetomymarriagemorn,Androundagainto-
"Riveringrandorder,sir,"saidthevoiceofRobins,thekeeper,whorecognisedmeinthemoonlight。"There'saregularmonsterintheAshweil,"headded,namingafavouritecast;"neversawnorheardofsuchafishinthewaterbefore。"
"Mr。Dickmustcatchhim,Robins,"Ianswered;"nofishingformeto-morrow。"
"No,sir,"saidRobins,affably。"Wishyoujoy,sir,andMissOlive,too。It'sapity,though!MasterDick,hethrowsafinefly,buthegetsflurriedwithabigfish,beingyoung。Andthisoneisatopper。"
Withthathegavemegood-night,andIwenttobed,butnottosleep。Iwasfeveredwithhappiness;thepastandfuturereeledbeforemywakefulvision。Iheardeveryclockstrike;thesoundsofmorningwereastir,andstillIcouldnotsleep。Theceremony,forreasonsconnectedwithourlongjourneytomyfather'splaceinHampshire,wastobeearly——half-pasttenwasthehour。Ilookedatmywatch;itwassevenoftheclock,andthenIlookedoutofthewindow:itwasafine,softgreymorning,withasouthwindtossingtheyellowingboughs。Igotup,dressedinahastyway,andthoughtIwouldjusttakealookattheriver。Itwas,indeed,ingloriousorder,lappingoverthetopofthesharpstonewhichweregardedasameasureoftheduesizeofwater。
Themorningwasyoung,sleepwasoutofthequestion;Icouldnotsettlemymindtoread。WhyshouldInottakeafarewellcast,alone,ofcourse?Ialwaysdislikedtheattendanceofagillie。I
tookmysalmonrodoutofitscase,riggeditup,andstartedforthestream,whichflowedwithinacoupleofhundredyardsofmyquarters。Thereitracedundertheashtree,apaledelicatebrown,perhapsalittlethingtoocoloured。IthereforeputonalargeSilverDoctor,andbegansteadilyfishingdowntheash-treecast。WhatifIshouldwipeDick'seye,Ithought,when,justwheretheroughandsmoothwatermeet,thereboiledupaheadandshoulderssuchasIhadneverseenonanyfish。Myheartleapedandstoodstill,buttherecamenosensationfromtherod,andI
finishedthecast,mykneesactuallytremblingbeneathme。ThenI
gentlyliftedtheline,andveryelaboratelytestedeverylinkofthepowerfulcasting-line。ThenIgavehimtenminutesbymywatch;next,withunspeakableemotion,Isteppedintothestreamandrepeatedthecast。Justatthesamespothecameupagain;thehugerodbentlikeaswitch,andthesalmonrushedstraightdownthepool,asifhemeanttomakeforthesea。Istaggeredontodrylandtofollowhimtheeasier,anddraggedatmywatchtotimethefish;aquartertoeight。Buttheslimchainhadbroken,andthewatch,asIhastilythrustitback,missedmypocketandfellintothewater。Therewasnotimetostoopforit;thefishstartedafresh,toreupthepoolasfastashehadgonedownit,and,rushingbehindthetorrent,intotheeddyatthetop,leapedcleanoutofthewater。Hewas70lbs。ifhewasanounce。Hereheslackenedalittle,droppingback,andIgotinsomeline。NowhesulkedsointenselythatIthoughthehadgotthelineroundarock。Itmightbebroken,mightbeholdingfasttoasunkenstone,foraughtthatIcouldtell;andthetimewaspassing,Iknewnothowrapidly。Itriedallknownmethods,tuggingathim,tappingthebutt,andslackeninglineonhim。Atlastthetopoftherodwasslightlyagitated,andthen,backflewthelonglineinmyface。Gone!Ireeledupwithasigh,butthelinetightenedagain。Hehadmadeasuddenrushundermybank,buttherehelayagainlikeastone。Howlong?Ah!Icannottellhowlong!I
heardthechurchclockstrike,butmissedthenumberofthestrokes。Soonhestartedagaindown-streamintotheshallows,leapingattheendofhisrush——themonster。Thenhecameslowlyup,and"jiggered"savagelyattheline。Itseemedimpossiblethatanytacklecouldstandtheseshortviolentjerks。Soonheshowedsignsofweakening。Oncehishugesilversideappearedforamomentnearthesurface,butheretreatedtohisoldfastness。I
wasinatremorofdelightanddespair。Ishouldhavethrowndownmyrod,andflownonthewingsoflovetoOliveandthealtar。ButIhopedthattherewastimestill——thatitwasnotsoverylate!
Atlengthhewasfailing。Iheardteno'clockstrike。Hecameupandlumberedonthesurfaceofthepool。GraduallyIdrewhim,plungingponderously,tothegravelledbeach,whereImeantto"tail"him。Heyieldedtothestrain,hewasintheshallows,thelinewasshortened。Istoopedtoseizehim。Thefrayedandoverworngutbrokeataknot,andwithalooserollhedroppedbacktowardsthedeep。Isprangathim,stumbled,fellonhim,struggledwithhim,butheslippedfrommyarms。InthatmomentI
knewmorethantheanguishofOrpheus。Orpheus!HadI,too,lostmyEurydice?Irushedfromthestream,upthesteepbank,alongtomyrooms。Ipassedthechurchdoor。Olive,paleasherorange-
blossoms,wasissuingfromtheporch。Theclockpointedto10。45。
Iwasruined,Iknewit,andIlaughed。Ilaughedlikealostspirit。Shesweptpastme,and,amidsttheamazementofthegentleandsimple,Ispedwildlyaway。Askmenomore。Therestissilence。"
***
Thusendsmyhaplessfriend'snarrative。Ileaveittothejudgmentofwomenandofmen。Ladies,wouldyouhaveactedasOliveDunneacted?Wouldpride,orpardon,ormirthhaveriddensparklinginyoureyes?Men,mybrethren,wouldyehavedesertedthesalmonforthelady,ortheladyforthesalmon?IknowwhatI
wouldhavedonehadIbeenfairOliveDunne。WhatIwouldhavedonehadIbeenHoughtonGrannomImaynotventuretodivulge。Forthisnarrative,then,asforanother,"Leteverymanreaditashewill,andeverywomanasthegodshavegivenherwit。"{4}
ATWEEDSIDESKETCH
Thestoryofthefollowingadventure——thisdeplorableconfession,onemaysay——willnothavebeenwritteninvainifitimpressesonyoungmindsthesupremenecessityofcarefulnessaboutdetails。
Letthe"casual"andregardlesswhoreadit——thegatless,astheysayinSuffolk——ponderthelessonwhichitteaches:alessonwhichnoamountofbitterexperiencehaseverimpressedontheunprinciplednarrator。Neverdoanythingcarelesslywhetherinfishingoringolf,andcarrythisimportantmaximevenintothemostseriousaffairsoflife。Manyabattlehasbeenlost,nodoubt,bylackofammunition,orbyplentyofammunitionwhichdidnothappentosuittheguns;andmanyasalmonhasbeenlost,ay,andmanyatrout,forwantofcarefulness,andthroughaculpableinattentiontothesoundnessofyourgut,andtacklegenerally。
Whatfiendisitthatpromptsamanjusttotryahopelesscast,inalowwater,withouttestinghistackle?Assureasyoudothat,upcomesthefish,andwithhisfirstdashbreaksyourcastingline,andleavesyoulamenting。ThisdoctrineIpreach,beingmyown"awfulexample。""Badandcarelesslittleboy,"myworthymasterusedtosayatschool;andhewouldhaveprovokedasmileinothercircumstances。ButMr。Trotter,oftheEdinburghAcademy,hadsomethingabouthimheusuallycarrieditinthetail-pocketofhiscoatwhichinspiredrespectanddiscouragedribaldry。
WouldthatIhadlistenedtoMr。Trotter;wouldthatIhadcorrected,inearlylife,thehappy-go-luckydispositiontoscattermyGreekaccents,asitwere,withapepper-caster,tofishwithworntackle,and,generally,tomakefreewiththeresponsibilitiesoflifeandliterature。Itistoolatetoamend,butothersmaylearnwisdomfromthisspectacleofdeservedmisfortuneandabsolutediscomfiture。
Iamnotmyselfasalmon-fisher,thoughwillingtotrythatartagain,andthoughthisisataleofsalmon。TomyselfthedifferencebetweenanglingfortroutandanglingforsalmonislikethedifferencebetweenadrawingofLionardo's,insilverpoint,andaloadedlandscapebyMacGilp,R。A。Trout-fishingisallanidyll,alldelicacy——thatis,trout-fishingontheTestorontheItchen。Youwanderbyclearwater,beneathgraciouspoplar-trees,unencumberedwithanythingbutaslimrodofMessrs。Hardy'smake,andalighttoy-boxofdelicateflies。Youneedseldomwade,andthewaterisshallow,thebottomisofsilvergravel。Youneednotsearchalldayatrandom,butyouselectarisingtrout,andendeavourtolaythefloatingflydelicatelyoverhim。Ifyoupartwithhim,thereisalwaysanotherfeedingmerrily:
Inveniesaliumsitehicfastidit。
ItislikeanexcursionintoCorot'scountry,itisrichinmemoriesofWaltonandCotton:itisadreamofpeace,andtheybringyouyourteabytheriverside。Insalmon-fishing,ontheTweedatleast,allisdifferent。Therod,atalleventstherodwhichsomeonekindlylentme,islikeaweaver'sbeam。ThehighheavywadingtrousersandbootsareevenasthearmourofthegiantofGath。Youhavetoplungewaistdeep,ordeeper,intoroaringtorrents,andifthewaterbeatall"drumly"youhavenotanideawhereyournextstepmayfall。Itmaybeonahiddenrock,oronaroundslipperyboulder,oritmaybeintoadeep"pot"orhole。
Theinexperiencedanglerstaggerslikeadrunkenman,isoccasionallydrowned,andmorefrequentlyisducked。Youhavetocastpainfully,withsteepprecipitousbanksbehindyou,allovergrownwithtrees,withbracken,withbramble。Itisaboy'sworktodisentangletheflyfromthebranchesofashandelmandpine。Thereisnodelicacy,andthereisagreatdealofexertioninallthis。Youdonotcastsubtilelyoverafishwhichyouknowisthere,butyouswish,swish,allacrossthecurrent,withastrongreluctancetoliftthelineaftereachventureandtryanother。Thesmallofthebackaches,anditisliterallyinthesweatofyourbrowthatyoutakeyourdiversion。Afterall,therearemanyblankdays,whenthesalmonwilllookatnofly,orwhenyouencountertheSalmoirritans,whoriseswitheveryappearanceofearnestgood-will,butnevertouchesthehook,or,ifhedoestouchit,runsoutacoupleofyardsofline,andvanishesforever。Whatsaysthepoet?
There'sanaccommodatingfish,Inpoolorstream,byrockorpot,Whorisesfrequentasyouwish,At"Popham,""Parson,"or"JockScott,"
Oralmostanyflyyou'vegotInallthefurredandfeatheredclans。
Youstrike,butah,youstrikehimnotHeistheSalmoirritans!
ItmaybedifferentinNorwayoronthelowercastsoftheTweed,asatFloors,orMakerstoun;buthigherupthecountry,inScott'sowncountry,atYairorAshiesteil,thereisoftenaterribleamountoffruitlessworktobedone。AndIdoubtif,exceptinthrowingaverylongline,andknowingthewatersbyoldexperience,thereisverymuchskillinsalmon-fishing。Itisallanaffairofmuscleandpatience。Thechoiceoffliesisalmostapureaccident。Everyonebelievesintheflywithwhichhehasbeensuccessful。Thesestrangecombinationsofblues,reds,golds,oftinselandworsted,offeathersandfur,arepurelyfantasticarticles。Theyarelikenothinginnature,andaremultipliedforthefancifulamusementofanglers。Nobodyknowswhysalmonriseatthem;nobodyknowswhytheywillbiteononedayandnotonanother,orrather,onmanyothers。Itisnotevensettledwhetherweshoulduseabrightflyonabrightday,andadarkflyonadarkday,asDr。Hamiltonadvises,orreversethechoiceasothersuse。Musclesandpatience,these,Irepeat,aretheonlyingredientsofultimatesuccess。
However,onedoesdoatRomeastheRomansdo,andfishesforsalmoninTweedwhenthenetsareoffinOctober,whentheyellowingleavesbegintofall,andwhenthatbeautifulreachofwoodedvalleyfromElibanktothemeetingofTweedandEttrickisintheheightofitsautumnalcharm。WhyhasYarrowbeensomuchmorebesungthanTweed,inspiteofthegreaterstream'sfargreaterandmorevariedloveliness?ThefatalduelintheDowieDensofYarrowandthelamenteddrowningofWillietherehavegiventhestreamits'pastoralmelancholy,'andengagedWordsworthintherenownofthewater。ForthepoetryofTweedwehavechiefly,afterScott,tothankMr。Stoddart,itsloyalminstrel。"Dearerthanallthesetome,"hesaysaboutourothervalleys,"issylvanTweed。"
Letitheranglerschoosetheirain,Anditherwaterstak'theleadO'Hielandstreamswecovetnane,ButgietousthebonnyTweed;
Andgietousthecheerfu'burn,Thatstealsintoitsvalleyfair,Thestreamletsthat,atilkaturn,Saesaftlymeetandminglethere。
Hekepthispromise,giveninthefollowingverse:
AndI,whentobreatheisalabour,andjoyForgetsme,andlifeisnolongertheboy,Onthelabouringstaff,andthetremorousknee,Willwander,brightriver,tothee!
Lifeisalways"theboy"whenoneisbesidetheTweed。Timeschange,andwechange,fortheworse。Buttheriverchangeslittle。StillhecoursesthroughthekeenandnarrowrocksbeneaththebridgeofYair。
FromYair,whichhillssocloselybind,ScarcecantheTweedhispassagefind,Thoughmuchhefret,andchafe,andtoil,Tillallhiseddyingcurrentsboil。
Stillthewaterloitersbythelongboat-poolofYair,asthoughloathtoleavethedroopingboughsoftheelms。StillitcourseswithadeepeddythroughtheElmWheel,andripplesunderFernilea,wheretheauthorofthe"FlowersoftheForest"livedinthatnowmoulderingandrooflesshall,withthepeakedturrets。StillNeidpathisfair,Neidpathoftheunhappymaid,andstillwemarkthetinyburnatAshiesteil,howinNovember,Murmuringhoarse,andfrequentseen,Throughbushandbriar,nolongergreen,Anangrybrook,itsweepstheglade,Brawlsoverrockandwildcascade,Andfoamingbrown,withdoubledspeed,HurriesitswaterstotheTweed。
StilltheoldtowerofElibankisblackandstronginruin;
Elibank,thehomeofthatMuckleMou'dMeg,whomadeHardenafterallabetterbridethanhewouldhavefoundinthehangingash-treeofherfather。Theseareunaltered,mainly,sinceScottsawthemlast,andlittlealteredisthehomelyhouseofAshiesteil,wherehehadbeensohappy。Andwe,too,feelbutlittlechangeamongthosescenesoflongago,thosebest-belovedhauntsofboyhood,wherewehavehadsomanygooddaysandbad,daysofrisingtroutandsuccess;daysoffailure,andevenofhalf-drowning。
Onecannotreproducethecharmofthestrongriverinpoolandstream,ofthesteeprichbankthatitrushesorlingersby,ofthegreenandheatheryhillsbeyond,orthebareslopeswheretheblueslatebreaksthroughamongthedarkoldthorn-trees,remnantsoftheforest。Itisallhomelyandallhaunted,and,ifaTweedsidefishermighthavehisdesire,hewouldsleepthelongsleepinthelittlechurchyardthatlieslonelyabovethepoolofCaddon-foot,andhardbyChristopherNorth'sfavouritequartersatClovenfords。
However,whilewearestillonearth,Caddon-footismoreattractiveforherlongsweepofsalmon-pool——thehomeofsea-trouttoo——thanpreciselyforherkirk-yard。Therewillbetimeenoughforthat,andtimeitistorecurtothesadstoryofthebigfishandthecarelessangler。ItwasaboutthefirstdayofOctober,andwehadenjoyeda"spate。"Salmon-fishingisamerechildoftheweather;withrainalmostanybodymayraisefish,withoutitallartisapttobevain。Wehadbeenblessedwithaspate。OnWednesdaytheTweedhadbeenroaringredfrombanktobank。
Salmon-fishingwaswhollyoutofthequestion,anditistobefearedthattheinnumerabletrout-fishers,busyoneveryeddy,werebaitingwithsalmonroe,anillegallure。OnThursdaytheredtingehaddiedoutofthewater,butonlyaverystrongwaderwouldhaveventuredin;othershadagoodchance,iftheytriedit,ofbeingpickedupatBerwick。Fridaywasthelucklessdayofmyownfailureandbrokenheart。Thewaterwasstillveryheavyandturbid,afranticwindwaslashingthewoods,heapsofdeadleavesfloateddown,andseveralsheavesofcornweredriftedonthecurrent。Thelongboat-poolatYair,however,isshelteredbywoodedbanks,anditwaspossibleenoughtocast,inspiteofthewind'sfury。Wehaddrivenfromaplaceaboutfivemilesdistant,andwehadnotdriventhreehundredyardsbeforeIrememberedthatwehadforgottenthelanding-net。But,asIexpectednothing,itdidnotseemworthwhiletogobackforthisindispensableimplement。Wereachedthewater-side,andfoundthatthetroutwerefeedingbelowthependentbranchesofthetreesandinthequiet,deepeddiesofthelongboat-pool。Onecannotseerisingtroutwithoutcastingoverthem,inpreferencetolabouringaftersalmon,soIputupasmallrodanddivertedmyselffromthebank。
Itwastolittlepurpose。Tweedtroutarenowgrownveryshyandcapricious;evenadryflyfailedtodoanyexecutionworthmentioning。Consciencecompelledme,asIhadbeensentoutbykindhoststofishforsalmon,nottoneglectmyorders。Thearmour——theponderousgearofthefisher——wasputonwiththeenormousboots,andthegiganticrodwasequipped。Thencamethebeginningofsorrows。Wehadleftthebooksofsalmonfliescomfortablyreposingathome。Wehadalsoforgottenthewhiskeyflask。Everything,infact,exceptcigarettes,hadbeenleftbehind。Unluckily,notquiteeverything:Ihadatroutfly-book,andthereinlayjustonelargesalmonfly,notaTweedfly,butalurethatisusedonthebeautifulandhopelesswatersofthedistantKen,inGalloway。Ithadbrownwings,adarkbody,andapieceofjungle-cockfeather,anditwasfastenedtoasea-troutcasting-line。Now,ifIhadpossessednosalmonfliesatall,I
musteitherhavesentbackforsome,orgoneoninnocentlydallyingwithtrout。Butthisonewretchedflyluredmetomyruin。Isawthatthecasting-linehadalinkwhichseemedrathertwisted。I
triedit;but,inthespiritofDonQuixotewithhishelmet,Ididnottryithard。Iwadedintotheeasiest-lookingpartofthepool,justaboveahugetreethatdroppeditsboughstothewater,andbegancasting,merelyfromasenseofduty。Ihadnotcastadozentimesbeforetherewasaheavy,slowplungeinthestream,andaglimpseofpurpleandazure。
"That'shim,"criedamanwhowastroutingontheoppositebank。
Doubtlessitwas"him,"buthehadnottouchedthehook。Ibelievethecorrectthingwouldhavebeentowaitforhalfanhour,andthentrythefishwithasmallerfly。ButIhadnosmallerfly,nootherflyatall。Isteppedbackafewpaces,andfisheddownagain。InMajorTraherne'sworkIhavereadthattheheartleaps,orstandsstill,orotherwisebetraysanuncomfortableinterest,whenonecastsforthesecondtimeoverasalmonwhichhasrisen。
IcannothonestlysaythatIsufferedfromthistumultuousemotion。
"Hewillnotcomeagain,"Isaid,whentherewasalongheavydragattheline,followedbyashriekingofthereel,asinMr。WilliamBlack'snovels。Letitbeconfessedthatthefirsthookingofasalmonisanexcitementunparalleledintrout-fishing。Therehavebeenanglerswho,whenthesalmonwasonceon,handedhimovertothegillietoplayandland。Onewouldliketoactasgillietothoselordlyamateurs。Myownfishrusheddownstream,wherethebigtreestands。Ihadnohopeoflandinghimifhetookthatcourse,becauseonecouldneitherpasstherodundertheboughs,norwadeoutbeyondthem。Buthesooncameback,whileonetookinline,anddiscussedhisprobablesizewiththetrout-fisheropposite。Hissize,indeed!Nobodyknowswhatitwas,forwhenhehadcomeuptothepointwhencehehadstarted,hebeganapolicyofviolentshorttugs——not"jiggering,"asitiscalled,butplungingwithallhisweightontheline。Ihadcleanforgottentheslimnessofthetackle,and,ashewasclearlywellhooked,heldhimperhapstoohard。Onlyaveryrawbeginnerlikestotakehoursoverlandingafish。PerhapsIheldhimtootight:atallevents,afterafuriousplunge,backcametheline;thecastinglinehadsnappedatthetoplink。
Therewasnomoretobesaidordone,excepttohuntforanotherflyinthetroutfly-book。Heretherewasnosuchthing,butalocalspectatorofferedmeahugefly,morelikeagaff,andequippedwithalargeironeyeforattachingthegutto。WithalI
suspectthisweaponwasmeant,notforfairfishing,butfor"sniggling。"Now"sniggling"isaformofcold-bloodedpoaching。
Intheopenwater,ontheEttrick,youmayseehalfadozensnigglersbusy。Theyallwearhighwadingtrousers;theyareallarmedwithstiffsalmon-rodsandhugeflies。Theypushthelineandthetopjointsoftheroddeepintothewater,dragitalong,andthenbringthehookoutwithajerk。Oftenitsticksinthesideofasalmon,andinthismostunfairandunsportsmanlikewaythefreesportofhonestpeopleisruined,andfisharediminishedinnumber。Now,thebigflyMAYhavebeenanhonestcharacter,buthewassadlylikearake-hookindisguise。Hedidnotlookasifanfishcouldfancyhim。I,therefore,sentamessengeracrosstherivertobeg,buy,orborrowaflyat"TheNest。"Butthisprettycottageisnolongerthehomeofthefamousanglingclub,whichhasgoneamileortwoupthewaterandbuildedforitselfanewdwelling。Mymessengercamebackwithonesmallfatigued-lookingfly,aPopham,Ithink,whichhadbeenlentbysomeoneatafarm-
house。Thewaterwassoheavythatthesmallflyseemeduseless;
however,wefasteneditonasadropper,usingthesnigglerasthetrailfly;soexhaustedwereourresources,thatIhadtocutapieceofgutoffaminnowtackleandattachthesmallflytothat。
Thetinygutloopoftheflywasdreadfullyfrayed,andwithaheavyheartIbeganfishingagain。Myfriendontheoppositesidecalledoutthatbigfishwererisinginthebendofthestream,sothitherIwent,stumblingoverrocks,andcastingwithmuchdifficulty,asthehighovergrownbankspermitnobackwardsweepoftheline。Youareobligedtocastbyakindofforwardthrustofthearms,aknacknottobeacquiredinamoment。Isplashedawayawkwardly,butatlastmanagedtomakeastraight,cleancast。
Therewasaslightpull,suchasatroutgivesinmid-streamunderwater。Iraisedthepoint,andagainthereelsangaloudandgleefullyasthesalmonrusheddownthestreamfartherandfasterthanthefirst。Itisaverypleasantthingtohookasalmonwhenyouareallalone,asIwasthen——alonewithyourselfandtheGoddessofFishing。Thissalmon,justliketheother,nowcameback,andinstantlybegantheoldtacticsofheavyplungingtugs。
ButIknewthegutwassoundthistime,andasIfanciedhehadrisentothesniggler,Ihadnoanxietyaboutthetackleholding。
Onemoreplunge,andbackcamethelineasbefore。Hewasoff。
Onecouldhavesatdownandgnawedthereel。Whathadgonewrong?
Why,thebrutehadtakentheoldflyfromthefarmhouseandhadsnappedtheloopthatattachesthegut。Thelittleloopwasstillonthefragmentofminnowtacklewhichfastenedittothecast。
Therewasnomorechance,fortherewerenownomoreflies,exceptasmall"cobbery,"asea-troutflyfromtheSoundofMull。Itwastimeforustogo,withaheavyheartandabasketempty,exceptfortwoorthreemiserabletrout。Thelossofthosetwosalmon,whetherbigorlittlefish,wasnotthewholemisfortune。Allthechancesofthedayweregone,andseldomhavesalmonrisensofreely。Ihadnotbeencastinglongenoughtosmokehalfacigarette,whenIhookedeachofthosefish。Theyroseatflieswhichweretheexactoppositesofeachotherinsize,character,andcolour。Theywerereadytoriseatanythingbutthesniggler。
AndIhadnothingtoofferthem,absolutelynothingbiggerthanasmallred-spinnerfromtheTest。Onthatdayafisher,notfaroff,hookedninesalmonandlandedfourofthem,inonepool,I
neverhadsuchachancebefore;theheavyfloodandhighwindhadmadethesalmonas"silly"asperch。Onemighthavecaughthalfadozenofthegreatsturdyfellows,whomakealltrout,evensea-
trout,seemdespicableminnows。NextdayIfishedagaininthesamewater,withafriend。Iroseafish,butdidnothookit,andhelandedasmallone,fiveminutesafterwestarted,andweonlyhadoneotherrisealltherestoftheday。Probablyitwasnotdarkandwindyenough,butwhocanexplainthecapricesofsalmon?
Theonlycertainthingis,thatcarelessnessalwaysbringsmisfortune;thatifyourtackleisweakfishwillhookthemselvesondays,andinpartsofthewater,whereyouexpectednothing,andthenwillgoawaywithyourflyandyourcasting-lines。Fortuneneverforgives。Hewhoislazy,andtakesnotroublebecauseheexpectsnofish,willalwaysbemeetingheart-breakingadventures。
Oneshouldnevermakeahopelessorcarelesscast;badluckliesinwaitforthatkindofperformance。Thesearetheexperiencesthatembitteraman,astheyembitteredDeanSwift,who,oldandill,neglectedandinIrishexile,stillfeltthepangoflosingagreattroutwhenhewasaboy。Whatpleasureisthereinlandscapeandtraditionwhensuchaccidentsbefallyou?
ThesunupontheWeirdlawhill,InEttrick'svaleissinkingsweet。
ThereisafireofautumncolourinthetuftedwoodsthatembosomFernilea。"Botherthesettingsun,"wesay,andtheMaidofNeidpath,andthe"FlowersoftheForest,"andthememoriesofScottatAshiesteil,andofMuckleMou'dMeg,atElibank。Thesearefilmy,shadowypleasuresofthefancy,thesecannotministertothemindofhimwhohasbeen"broken"twice,whocannotresumethecontestforwantofammunition,andwhohasnotevenbroughtthecreature-comfortofaflask。SincethatwofuldayIhavelainonthebankandwatchedexcellentanglersskilfullyfloggingthebestofwater,andthatwaterfulloffish,withouthookingone。
Salmon-fishing,then,isamatterofchance,orofploddingpatience。Theywillriseononedayatalmostanyflybutthesniggler,howeverill-presentedtothem。Onadozenotherdaysnoflyandnoskillwillavailtotemptthem。Thesalmonisabrainlessbruteandthegrapesaresour!
Ifonlytheguthadheld,thissketchwouldhaveendedwithsentiment,andasunset,andthemusicofEttrick,themelodyofTweed。Inthegloamingwe'dberoaminghomeward,telling,perhaps,thestoryoftheghostseenbySirWalterScottnearAshiesteil,ordiscussingtheRomantreasurestillburiednearOakwoodTower,underaninscribedstonewhichmensawfiftyyearsago。OrwasitatreasureofMichaelScott's,wholivedatOakwood,saystradition?LetHardendigforHarden'sgear,itisnotformetogivehintsastoitswhereabouts。Afterallthatill-luck,tobebrief,oneisnotintheveinforlegendarylore,normemoriesofboyhood,norpoetry,norsunsets。Idonotbelievethatoneeverthinksofthelandscapeorofanythingelse,whilethereisachanceforafish,andnoabundanceoflocalromancecanatoneforanemptycreel。Poeticalfisherstrytomakepeoplebelievethesefallacies;perhapstheyimposeonthemselves;butifonewouldreallyenjoylandscape,oneshouldleave,notonlythefly-bookandthelanding-net,buttherodandreelathome。Andsofarewelltothedearestandfairestofallriversthatgoonearth,fairerthanEurotasorSicilianAnapuswithitssea-trout;farewell——forwhoknowshowlong?——tothered-fringedGleddis-wheel,therockoftheRigh-wheel,therushingfoamoftheGullets,thewoodlandbanksofCaddon-foot。
ThevalleysofEnglandarewide,Herriversrejoiceeveryone,Ingraceandinbeautytheyglide,Andwater-flowersfloatattheirside,Astheygleamintheraysofthesun。
Butwherearethespeedandthespray-
Thedarklakesthatwelterthemforth,Treeandheathnoddingovertheirway-
Therockandtheprecipicegrey,ThatbindthewildstreamsoftheNorth?
Well,both,aregood,thestreamsofnorthandsouth,buthewhohasgivenhishearttotheTweed,asdidTyro,inHomer,totheEnipeuswillneverchangehislove。
P。S——ThatGallowayfly——"TheButcherandLang"——hasbeenavenged。
Acopyofhim,onthelineofafriend,hasproveddeadlyontheTweed,killing,amongothervictims,asea-troutofthirteenpounds。
THEDOUBLEALIBI
GlenAlineisprobablytheloneliestplaceinthelonemoorlandsofWesternGalloway。Thecountryisentirelypastoral,andIfancythattheverypastureisbadenough。Stretchesofdeer-grassandling,rollingendlesslytothefeetofCairnsmureandthecircleoftheeasternhills,cannotbegoodfeedingfortheleastEpicureanofsheep,andsheepdonotcareforthelankandsourherbagebythesidesofthe"lanes,"asthehalf-stagnant,black,deep,andweedyburnsarecalledinthispartofthecountry。Thesceneryisnotunattractive,buttouristsneverwandertothesewasteswherenoinnsare,andeventheanglerseldomvisitsthem。Indeed,thefishingisnottobecalledgood,andthe"lanes,"which"seep,"astheScotchsay,throughmarshesandbeneathlowhillsides,arenotsuchexcellentcompanyasthegarrulousandbrawlingbrooksoftheBorderoroftheHighlands。Asthelanesflow,however,fromfar-
awaylochs,ithappensthatlargetroutmaketheirwayintothem——
troutwhich,ifhooked,offeragallantresistancebeforetheycanbehauledovertheweedsthatusuallylinethewatercourses。
Partlyforthesakeoftryingthiskindofangling,partlyfromatemporarydistasteforthepresenceofmenandwomen,partlyforthepurposeoffinishingaworkstyled"AHistoryoftheUnexplained,"IoncespentamonthinthesolitudesofGlenAline。
Istayedatthehouseofashepherdwho,thoughnotanunintelligentmanwasbynomeanspossessedofthemodernspirit。
Heandhisbrotherswainshadsturdilyandsuccessfullyresistedanattemptmadebytheschool-masteratavillagesomesevenmilesofftogetapostalserviceintheglenmorefrequentlythanonceaweek。Apostonceaweekwasoftenenoughforluckypeoplewhodidnotgetletterstwiceayear。Itwasnotmyshepherd,butanother,whooncecamewithhiswifetothevillage,afteratwelvemiles'
第3章