第1章

PrefaceNotetoNewEditionTheConfessionsofaDufferABorderBoyhoodLochAweLoch-FishingLochLevenTheBloodyDoctorTheLadyortheSalmon？ ATweedsideSketchTheDoubleAlibiTheCompleteBunglerPREFACE Severalofthesketchesinthisvolumehaveappearedinperiodicals。\"TheBloodyDoctor\"wasinMacmillan\'sMagazine，\"TheConfessionsofaDuffer，\"\"LochAwe，\"and\"TheLadyortheSalmon？\" wereintheFishingGazette，buthavebeentosomeextentre- written。\"TheDoubleAlibi\"wasinLongman\'sMagazine。TheauthorhastothanktheEditorsandPublishersforpermissiontoreprintthesepapers。 ThegemengravedonthecoverisenlargedfromasmallintagliointhecollectionofMr。M。H。N。STORY-MASKELYNE，M。P。SuchgemswererecommendedbyClemensofAlexandriatotheearlyChristians。 \"ThefigureofamanfishingwillputtheminmindoftheApostle。\" PerhapstheGreekisusingtheredhackledescribedbyAElianintheonlyknownGreekreferencetofly-fishing。 NOTETONEWEDITION ThehistoricalversionoftheBlackOfficer\'scareer，veryunlikethelegendin\"LochAwe，\"maybereadinMr。Macpherson\'sSocialLifeintheHighlands。 THECONFESSIONSOFADUFFER Thesepapersdonotboastofgreatsport。Theyaretruthful，notlikethetalessomefisherstell。Theyshouldappealtomanysympathies。ThereisnofalsemodestyintheconfidencewithwhichIesteemmyselfaduffer，atfishing。Somemenarebornduffers； others，unlikepersonsofgenius，becomesobyaninfinitecapacityfornottakingpains。Others，again，amongwhomIwouldrankmyself，combineboththeseelementsofincompetence。Nature，thatmademeenthusiasticallyfondoffishing，gavemethumbsforfingers，short-sightedeyes，indolence，carelessness，andatemperwhich(usuallysweetandangelic)isgoadedtomadnessbythelawsofmatterandofgravitation。Forexample:whenanothermaniscaughtupinabranchhedisengageshisfly；Ijerkatittillsomethingbreaks。Asforcarelessness，inboyhoodIfished，bypreference，withdoubtfulgutandknotsill-tied；itmadetheriskgreater，andincreasedtheexcitementifonedidhookatrout。I can\'tkeepafly-book。Istuffthefliesintomypocketsatrandom，orstickthemintotheleavesofanovel，orbestowthemintheliningofmyhatorthecaseofmyrods。Never，till1890，inallmydaysdidIpossessalanding-net。IfIcandragafishupabank，oroverthegravel，well；ifnot，hegoesonhiswayrejoicing。OntheTestIthoughtitseemlytocarryalanding-net。 Ithadahinge，anddoubledup。Iputthehandlethroughabuttonholeofmycoat:Isawabigfishrising，Iputadryflyoverhim；theidiottookit。Upstreamheran，thendownstream，thenheyieldedtotherodandcamenearme。Itriedtounshipmylanding-netfrommybutton-hole。Vainlabour!Itwistedandturnedthehandle，itwouldnotbudge。Finally，Istooped，andattemptedtoladlethetroutoutwiththeshortnet；buthebrokethegut，andwentoff。Alanding-netisatediousthingtocarry，soisacreel，andacreelis，tome，asuperfluity。Thereisneveranythingtoputinit。IfIdocatchatrout，Ilayhimunderabigstone，coverhimwithleaves，andneverfindhimagain。 Ioftenbreakmytopjoint；so，asInevercarrystring，Ispliceitwithabitoftheline，whichIbiteoff，forIreallycannotbetroubledwithscissorsandIalwayslosemyknife。Whenaphantomminnowsticksinmyclothes，Isnapthegutoff，andputonanother，sothatwhenIreachhomeIlookasifashoaloffierceminnowshadattackedmeandhungonlikeleeches。Whenaboy，I was——onceortwice——abait-fisher，butInevercarriedwormsinboxorbag。Ifoundthemunderbigstones，orinthefields，whereverIhadtheluck。Inevertienorotherwisefastenthejointsofmyrod；theyoftenslipoutofthesocketsandsplashintothewater。 Mr。Hardy，however，hasinventedajoint-fasteningwhichneverslips。Ontheotherhand，bylettingthejointrust，youmayfinditdifficulttotakedownyourrod。WhenIseeatroutrising，I alwayscastsoastogethungup，andIfrightenhimasIdisengagemyhook。Iinvariablyfallinandgethalf-drownedwhenIwade，therebeinganinsufficiencyofnailsinthesolesofmybrogues。 Mywadersletinwater，too，andwhenIgoouttofishIusuallyleaveeithermyreel，ormyflies，ormyrod，athome。Perhapsnootherman\'saverageoflostfliesinproportiontotakentroutwaseversogreatasmine。Iloseplenty，bystrikingfuriously，afteraseriesofshortrises，andbreakingthegut，withwhichthefishswimsaway。Astodressingafly，onewouldsoonerthinkofdressingadinner。Theresultofthefly-dressingwouldresembleasmallblacking-brush，perhaps，butnothingentomological。 Thenwhy，aperseveringreadermayask，doIfish？Well，itisstrongerthanmyself，theloveoffishing；perhapsitisaninheritedinstinct，withouttheinheritedpower。Imayhavehadafishingancestorwhobequeathedtomethepassionwithouttheart。 Myvocationisfixed，andIhavefishedtolittlepurposeallmydays。Notforsalmon，analmostfabulousandyetastupidfish，whichmustbemovedwitharodlikeaweaver\'sbeam。Thetroutismoredelicateanddainty——notthesea-trout，whichanyman，woman，orchildcancapture，buttheyellowtroutinclearwater。 AfewrisesarealmostallIaskfor:tocatchmorethanhalfadozenfishdoesnotfalltomylottwiceayear。Ofcourse，inaSutherlandlochonemanisasgoodasanother，theexpertnobetterthantheduffer。Thefishwilltake，ortheywon\'t。Iftheywon\'t，nobodycancatchthem；iftheywill，nobodycanmissthem。 ItisassimpleastrollingaminnowfromaboatinLochLeven，probablythelowestpossibleformofangling。Myambitionisasgreatasmyskillisfeeble；tocapturebigtroutwiththedryflyintheTest，thatwouldcontentme，andnothingunderthat。ButI can\'tseethenaturalflyonthewater；Icannotseemyownfly，Letitsinkorletitswim。 Ioftendon\'tseethetroutrisetome，ifheissuchafoolastorise；andIcan\'tstrikeintimewhenIdoseehim。Besides，Iamunteachabletotieanyoftheorthodoxknotsinthegut；ittakesmehalfanhourtogetthegutthroughoneofthesenewfangledironeyes，and，whenitisthrough，Iknotitanyway。The\"jam\"knotisanametome，andnomore。That，perhaps，iswhythehookscrackoffsomerrily。Then，ifIdospotarisingtrout，andifhedoesnotspotmeasIcrawlliketheserpenttowardshim，myflyalwaysfixesinanettle，ahaycock，arose-bush，orwhatnot，behindme。Iundoit，orbreakit，andputupanother，makeacast，and，\"plop，\"allthelinefallsinwithasplashthatwouldfrightenacrocodile。Thefish\'sbigblackfingoescuttingthestreamabove，andthereisasauvequipeutoftroutinalldirections。 Ioncedidmanagetomakeacastcorrectly:theflywentoverthefish\'snose；herose；Ihookedhim，andhewasagreatsillybruteofagrayling。Thegraylingisthedeadest-heartedandthefoolishest-headedfishthatswims。Iwouldasliefcatchaperchoraneelasagrayling。Thisistheworstofit——thisambitionoftheduffer\'s，thisdesireforperfection，asifthegolfingimbecileshouldmatchhimselfagainstMr。HoraceHutchinson，orasthesowoftheGreekproverbchallengedAthenetosing。Iknowitall，Ideploreit，Iregrettheevilsofambition；butc\'estplusfortquemoi。Ifthereisatroutrisingwellunderthependantboughsthattrailinthewater，ifthereisabrakeofbriarsbehindme，astrongwinddownstream，forthattrout，inthatimpregnablesituation，Iamimpelledtofish。IfIraisehimI strike，misshim，catchupinhistree，swishthecastoffintothebriars，breakmytop，breakmyheart，but——thatisthehumourofit。Thepassion，orinstinct，beinginallsensesblind，mustnodoubtbehereditary。Itisfullofsorrowandbitternessandhopedeferred，andentailsthemockeryoffriends，especiallyofthefair。ButIwouldassoonlaydownaloveofbooksasaloveoffishing。 Successwithpenorrodmaybebeyondone，butthereisthepleasureofthepursuit，theraptureofendeavour，thedelightofanimpossiblechase，thejoysofnature——sky，trees，brooks，andbirds。Happinessinthesethingsisthelegacytousofthebarbarian。Maninthefuturewillenjoybricks，asphalte，fog，machinery，\"society，\"evenpicturegalleries，asmanymenandmostwomendoalready。Wearefortunatewhoinherittheolder，not\"thenewspirit\"——wewho，skilledorunskilled，followinthestepsofourfather，Izaak，bystreamslessclear，indeed，andinmeadowslessfragrant，thanhis。Still，theyaremeadowsandstreams，notwhollydispeopledyetofbirdsandtrout；norcananydefectofart，norcertaintyoflaboriousdisappointment，keepusfromthewatersidewhenAprilcomes。 Nexttobeinganexpert，itiswelltobeacontentedduffer:amanwhowouldfishifhecould，andwhowillpleasurehimselfbyflickingoffhisflies，anddreamingofimpossibletrout，andsmokingamongthesedgesHope\'senchantedcigarettes。Nexttimeweshallbemoreskilled，morefortunate。Nexttime!\"To-morrow，andto-morrow，andto-morrow。\"Greyhairscome，andstifflimbs，andshortenedsight；butthespringisgreenandhopeisfreshforallthechangesintheworldandinourselves。Wecantellahawkfromahand-saw，aMarchBrownfromaBlueDun；andifoursuccessbeaspoorasever，ourfancycandreamaswellaseverofbetterthingsandmorefortunatechances。Forfishingislikelife；andintheartofliving，too，thereareduffers，thoughtheyseldomgiveustheirconfessions。Yeteventheyarekeptalive，liketheincompetentangler，bythisundyinghope:theywillbemorecareful，moreskilful，moreluckynexttime。Thegleaminguntravelledfuture，thebrightuntriedwaters，allureusfromdaytoday，frompooltopool，till，liketheveteranonCoquetside，we\"tryafarewellthrow，\"or，likeStoddart，lookourlastonTweed。 ABORDERBOYHOOD Afisher，saysourfatherIzaak，islikeapoet:he\"mustbebornso。\"ThemajorityofdwellersontheBorderareborntobefishers，thankstotheendlessnumberofriversandburnsintheregionbetweentheTweedandtheCoquet——arealmwherealmostalltrout-fishingisopen，andwhere，sincepopulationandloveofthesporthaveincreased，thereisnowbutlittlewaterthatmeritsthetroubleofputtinguparod。 Liketherestofusinthatcountry，Iwasbornanangler，thoughunderanevilstar，for，indeed，mylabourshavenotbeenblessed，andaredevotedtofishingratherthantothecatchingoffish。 Remembrancecanscarcelyrecover，\"nortimebringbacktotime，\" thedayswhenIwasnotbusyatthewaterside；yetthefeatisnotquitebeyondthepowerofMnemosyne。Myfirstrecollectionofthesportmustdatefromabouttheageoffour。Irecall，inadimbrightness，drivingalongaroadthatranbetweenbanksofbrackenandmica-veinedrocks，andthesunlightonashiningbendofahighlandstream，andmyfather，standingintheshallowwater，showingmeahugeyellowfish，thatgaveitslastflingortwoonthegrassybank。ThefishseemedasterribleanddangeroustomeastoTobit，intheApocrypha，didthatferocioushalf-pounderwhichhecarriesonastringintheearlyItalianpictures。HowoddlyBotticelliandhisbrethrenmisconceivedtheman-devouringfish，whichmusthavebeenacrocodilestrayedfromtheNileintothewatersoftheEuphrates!Ahalf-pounder!Tohavebeenterrifiedbyatroutseemsabadbeginning；and，thereafter，themistgather\'soverthepast，onlytoliftagainwhenIseemyself，withacrowdofotherlittlechildren，senttofish，withcrookedpins，forminnows，or\"baggies\"aswecalledthem，intheEttrick。 Ifourparentshopedthatwewouldbringhomeminnowsforbait，theyweredisappointed。Thepartywasunderthecommandofanurserygoverness，andprobablyshewasnodescendantofthemotherofusall，DameJulianaBerners。Wedidnotcatchanyminnows，andIremembersittingtowatchabiggerboy，whowasanglinginashoalofthemwhenaparrcameintotheshoal，andwehadbrightvisionsofalluringthatmonarchofthedeep。Buttheparrdisdainedourbaits，andformonthsIdreamedofwhatitwouldhavebeentocapturehim，andoftenthoughtofhiminchurch。Inamomentofprofaneconfidencemyyoungerbrotheronceaskedme: \"WhatdoYOUdoinsermontime？I，\"saidheinawhisper——\"mindyoudon\'ttell——Itellstoriestomyselfaboutcatchingtrout。\"TowhichIaddedsimilarconfession，forevensoIdrovethesermonby，andIhavenot\"told\"——tillnow。 Bythistimewemusthavebeenintroducedtotrout。Whoforgetshisfirsttrout？Mine，thankstothatunluckystar，wasadoubledeception，orratherthereweretwokindsofdeception。Avillagecarpenterverykindlymaderodsforus。Theywereofunpaintedwood，thesefirstrods；theywereintwopieces，witharealbrassjoint，andtherewasaringattheendofthetopjoint，towhichthelinewasknotted。WewerestillintheageofWalton，whoclearlyknewnothing，exceptbyhearsay，ofareel；heabandonstheattempttodescribethatmachineasusedbythesalmon-fishers。Hethinksitmustbeseentobeunderstood。Withtheseinnocentweapons，andwiththegardenertobaitourhooks，weweretakentotheYarrow，farupthestream，nearLadhope。Howwelloneremembersdesertingthegardener，andalreadyappreciatingthejoysofhavingnogillienorattendant，ofbeing\"alonewithourselvesandthegoddessoffishing\"!IcastawayaswellasIcould，andpresentlyjerkedatrout，atinyone，highupintheairoutofthewater。Buthefelloffthehookagain，hedroppedinwithalittlesplash，andIrusheduptoconsultmytutoronhisunsportsmanlikebehaviour，andthedisappointing，nay，heart-breaking，occurrence。 Wasthetroutnotmorallycaught，wastherenowayofgettinghimtoseethisandbehaveaccordingly？Thegardenerfearedtherewasnone。Meanwhilehesatonthebankandangledinapool。\"Trymyrod，\"hesaid，and，assoonasIhadtakenholdofit，\"pullup，\" hecried，\"pullup。\"Idid\"pullup，\"andhauledmyfirsttroutlingonshore。ButinmyinmostheartIfearedthathewasnotmytroutatall，thatthegardenerhadhookedhimbeforehehandedtherodtome。Thenwemetmyyoungerbrothercomingtouswithquiteagreatfish，halfapoundperhaps，whichhehadcaughtinaburn。Then，forthefirsttime，mysoulknewthefiercepassionofjealousy，theenvyoftheangler。Almostforthelasttime，too；for，Iknownotwhyitis，anditprovesmenotruefisherman，Iamnotdiscontentedbythesuccessesofothers。Ifonecannotcatchfishoneself，surelythenextbestthingistoseeotherpeoplecatchthem。 Myownprogresswasnowcheckedforlongbyaconstitutionalandinsuperableaversiontoanglingwithworm。Ifthegardener，oraprettygirl-cousinofthematureageoffourteen，wouldputthewormon，Ididnot\"muchmind\"fishingwithit。Dostthouremember，fairladyoftheringlets？Still，Ineverlikedbait- fishing，andthesemineallieswerenotalwaysathand。Weused，indeed，tohavegreatdayswithperchatFaldonside，onthelandwhichSirWalterScottwasalwayssoanxioustobuyfromMr。NicholMilne。Almostthelastentryinhisdiary，atNaples，breathesthisunutterablehope。Hehaddeludedhimselfintobelievingthathisdebtswerepaid，andthathecouldsoon\"speakawordtoyoungNicholMilne。\"Theword，ofcourse，wasneverspoken，andtheunsupplantedlairdusedtoletusfishforhisperchtoourhearts\' desire。Neverwastheresuchslaughter。Thecorkswhichweusedasfloatswereperpetuallytipping，bobbing，anddisappearing，andthenthered-finnedperchwouldflyoutontodryland。HereI oncesawtwocorksgodown，twoanglershaulup，andoneperch，attachedtobothhooks，descendonthegrassybank。MybrotherandIfilledtwobasketsonce，andstrungdozensofotherperchonastick。 Butthiswasnotlegitimatebusiness。Nottillwecametofly- fishingwerewereallyenteredatthesport，andthisinitiationtookplace，asitchanced，besidetheverystreamwhereIwasfirstshownatrout。Itisacharmingpieceofwater，amber-colouredandclear，flowingfromtheMorvernhillsunderthelimesofanancientavenue——treesthathavelongsurvivedthehousetowhich，ofold，theroadmusthaveled。Ourgillieputonforusbigbrightsea- troutflies——nobodyfishesthereforyellowtrout；but，inourinexperience，small\"brownies\"wereallwecaught。Probablywewereonlytakentostreamsandshallowswherewecouldnotinterferewithmaturesportsmen。Atallevents，itwasdemonstratedtousthatwecouldactuallycatchfishwithfly，andsincethenIhavescarcelytouchedaworm，exceptasaboy，inburns。Intheseearlydayswehadnonotionofplayingatrout。 Iftherewasabite，weputourstrengthintoanansweringtug，and，ifnothinggaveway，thetroutflewoverourheads，perhapsupintoatree，perhapsoverintoabranchofthestreambehindus。 Quitealargetroutwillyieldtothisartlessmethod，iftherodbesturdy——noneofyourglued-upcane-affairs。Irememberhookingatroutwhich，notansweringtothefirsthaul，ranrightacrossthestreamandmadeforaholeintheoppositebank。Butthesecondliftprovedsuccessfulandhelandedonmysideofthewater。Hehadagreatminnowinhisthroat，andmusthavebeenaparticularlygreedyanimal。Ofcourse，onthissystemthereweremanybreakages，andthemethodwasabandonedaswelivedintoourteens，andbegantowadeandtounderstandsomethingaboutfly- fishing。 ItwasworthwhiletobeaboytheninthesouthofScotland，andtofishthewatershauntedbyoldlegends，musicalwitholdsongs，andrenownedinthesportingessaysofChristopherNorthandStoddart。Eventhen，thirtylongyearsago，theoldstagersusedtotellusthat\"thewaiterwasowrsairfished，\"andtheygrumbledaboutthesystemofdrainingtheland，whichmakesariveraroaringtorrentinfloods，andabedofgreystoneswithafewclearpoolsandshallows，duringtherestoftheyear。Intimesbeforethehillsweredrained，beforethemanufacturingtownsweresopopulous，beforepollution，netting，dynamiting，poisoning，sniggling，andtheenormousincreaseoffairandunfairfishing，thebordermusthavebeentheangler\'sparadise。Still，itwasnotbadwhenwewereboys。WehadEttrickwithinamileofus，andafinernaturaltrout-streamthereisnotinScotland，thoughnowthewateronlyholdsasadlypersecutedremnant。TherewasonelongpoolbehindLindean，flowingbeneathahighwoodedbank，wherethetroutliterallyseemednevertoceaserisingatthefliesthatdroppedfromthependantboughs。Unluckilythewaterflowedoutofthepoolinathinbroadstream，directlyitrightanglestothepoolitself。Thustheanglerhad，sotospeak，thewholeoflowerEttrickathisbackwhenhewaded:itwasalongwayupstreamtothebank，and，asweneverusedlanding-netsthen，wenaturallylostagreatmanytroutintryingtounhooktheminmidwater。 Theyonlyaveragedasarulefromthreetotwotothepound，buttheywerestrongandlively。Inthispooltherewasalargetawny，table-shapedstone，overwhichthecurrentbroke。Outoftheeddybehindthisstone，oneofmybrothersonedaycaughtthreetroutweighingoversevenpounds，afeatwhichnowadayssoundsquiteincredible。Assoonasthedesirableeddywasempty，anothertrout，atriflesmallerthantheformer，seemstohaveoccupiedit。 Thenextmileandahalf，fromLindeantothejunctionwithTweed，wasremarkableforexcellentsport。InthelastpoolofEttrick，thewaterflowedbyasteepbank，and，ifyoucastalmostontothefurtherside，youwereperfectlysafetogetfish，evenwhentheriverwasverylow。Thefliesused，threeonacast，weresmallanddusky，hare\'searandwoodcockwing，blackpalmers，or，asStoddartsings，Weedourlookinghuiksarethething，Mousebodyandlaverockwing。 NexttoEttrickcameTweed:theformerriverjoinsthelatteratthebendofalongstretchofwater，halfstream，halfpool，inwhichanglingwasalwaysgood。InlateSeptemberthereweresea- trout，which，forsomereason，rosetotheflymuchmorefreelythansea-troutdonowintheupperTweed。Iparticularlyrememberhookingonejustundertherailwaybridge。Hewasatwo-pounder，andpractisedtheusualsea-trouttacticsofspringingintotheairlikearocket。Therewasaknotonmyline，ofcourse，andIwasobligedtoholdhimhard。Whenhehadbeendraggedupontheshingle，thelineparted，brokenintwainattheknot；butithadlastedjustlongenough，duringthreeexcitingminutes。Thisaccidentofaknotonthelinehasonlyoncebefallenmesince，withthestrongestloch-troutIeverencountered。ItwasonBranxholmeLoch，wherethetroutruntoagreatsize，butusuallyrefusethefly。Iwasaloneinaboatonawindyday；thetroutsoonranoutthelinetotheknot，andthentherewasnothingforitbuttolowerthetopalmosttothewater\'sedge，andholdoninhope。Presentlytheboatdriftedashore，andIlandedhim——betterluckthanIdeserved。PeoplewhoonlyknowthetroutoftheTestandotherchalkstreams，cannotimaginehowmuchstrongerarethefishoftheswiftScottishstreamsanddarkScottishlochs。 They\'reworsefed，buttheyareinfinitelymorepowerfulandactive；itisallthedifferencebetweenanaldermanandaclansman。 Tweed，atthistime，wasfulloftrout，buteventhentheywerenoteasytocatch。Onedifficultylayinthenatureofthewading。 ThereisapoolnearAshiesteilandGleddisWeilwhichillustratedthis。HereScottandHoggwereonceupsetfromaboatwhile\"burningthewater\"——spearingsalmonbytorchlight。Herein，too，asScottmentionsinhisDiary，heoncecaughttwotroutatonecast。Thepoolislong，ispavedwithsmallgravel，andalluresyoutowadeonandon。Butthewatergraduallydeepensasyougoforward，andthepoolendsinadeeppotundereachbank。Thentorecoveryourgroundbecomesbynomeanseasy，especiallyifthewaterisheavy。Yougethalf-drowned，ordrownedaltogether，beforeyoudiscoveryourdanger。Manyofthepoolshavethispeculiarity，andinmany，onestepmaderashlyletsyouintoaveryuncomfortableandperilousplace。ThereforeexpeditionstoTweedsidewereapttoendinaducking。Itwasoftenhardtoreachthewaterwheretroutwererising，andtherisewasalwayscapricious。Theremightnotbeastironthewaterforhours，andsuddenlyitwouldbeallboilingwithheadsandtailsfortwentyminutes，afterwhichnothingwastobedone。Tomiss\"thetake\" wastowastetheday，atleastinfly-fishing。FromahighwoodedbankIhaveseenthetroutfeeding，andtheyhavealmostceasedtofeedbeforeIreachedthewaterside。Stillworsewasittobealluredintowateroverthetopsofyourwaders，earlyintheday，andthentofindthattherisewasover，andtherewasnothingforitbutawearywalkhome，thebasketladenonlywithdampboots。 Still，thetroutwereundeniablyTHERE，andthatwasagreatencouragement。Theyaretherestill，butinfinitelymorecunningthanofold。Then，iftheywerefeeding，theytooktheartificialflyfreely；nowitmustbeexactlyoftherightsizeandshadeortheywillhavenoneofit。Theycomeprovokinglyshort，too；justpluckingatthehook，andrunningoutafootoflineorso，thentakingtheirdeparture。ForsomereasontheTweedismoredifficulttofishwiththedryflythan——theTest，forexample。 Thewaterisswifterandverydark，itdrownstheflysoon，andonthesurfacetheflyislesseasilydistinguishedthanatWhitchurch，inthepellucidstreams。TheLeaderatributary，maybefishedwithdryfly；ontheTweedonecanhardlymanageit。 Thereisaplanbywhichrisingtroutmaybetaken——namely，bybaitingwithasmallredwormandcastingasinfly-fishing。Butthatissohardontheworm!ProbablyhewhocancatchtroutwithflyontheTweedbetweenMelroseandHolyLeecancatchthemanywhere。OnagooddayinAprilgreatbasketsarestillmadeinpreservedpartsoftheTweed，but，iftheyaremadeinopenwater，itmustbe，Ifancy，withworm，orwiththe\"screw，\"thelavaoftheMay-fly。Thescrewisahideousandvenomous-lookinganimal，whichisfixedonaparticularkindoftackle，andcastupstreamwithashortline。Theheaviesttroutarefondofit，butitcanonlybeusedataseasonwheneitherschoolorOxfordkeepsonefarfromwhatoldFranck，Walton\'scontemporary，aCromwelliantrooper，calls\"theglitteringandresolutestreamsofTweed。\" Difficultasitis，thatriverissobeautifulandalluringthatitscarcelyneedstheattractionsofsport。Thestepbanks，beautifullywooded，andinspringonemassofprimroses，arecrownedhereandtherewithruinedBordertowers——likeElibank，thehousesofMuckleMou\'edMeg；orwithfairbaronialhouseslikeFernilea。MegmadeabadexchangewhensheleftElibankwiththesalmonpoolatitsfootforbleakHarden，frowningoverthenarrow\"den\"whereHardenkepttheplunderedcattle。ThereisnofishinginthetinyHardenburn，thatjoinsthebrawlingBorthwickWater。 TheburnsoftheLowlandsarenowalmostbarrenoftrout。Thespawningfish，flabbyanduseless，arekilledinwinter。Allthroughtherestoftheyear，intheremotestplaces，touristsarehardatthemwithworm。Inasmallburnaskilledwormermayalmostdepopulatethepools，and，ontheBorder，allisfishthatcomestothehook；menkeeptheveryfingerlings，onthepretextthattheyare\"sosweet\"inthefrying-pan。Thecrowdofanglersinglenswhichseemnoteasilyaccessibleisprovokingenough。 IntotheMeggat，astreamwhichfeedsSt。Mary\'sLoch，thereflowstheGlengaber，orGlencaberburn:theburnofthepine-treestump。 Thewaterrunsindeeppoolsandstreamsoverablueslateyrock，whichcontainsgoldunderthesand，inthewornholesandcrevices。 Myfriend，Mr。McAllister，theschoolmasteratSt。Mary\'s，tellsmethatoneday，whenfishwerenotrising，hescoopedoutthegravelofoneoftheseholeswithhisknife，andfoundatinynugget，afterwhichthegold-huntingfevercameonhimforawhile。Butlittleisgotnowadays，thoughinsomeearlierperiodtheburnhasbeendivertedfromitsbed，andthepeopleusedsolemnlytowashthesand，asinCaliforniaorAustralia。Well，whetherinconsequenceofthegold，asthealchemicalphilosopherswouldhaveheld，ornot，thetroutoftheGlengaberburnweregood。Theywerefarshorter，thickerandstrongerthanthoseofthemanyneighbouringbrooks。Ihavefisheduptheburnwithfly，whenitwasverylow，hidingcarefullybehindtheboulders，andhavebeensurprisedatthesizeandgamenessofthefish。Assoonastheflyhadtouchedthebrownwater，itwassuckeddown，andtherewasquiteafiercelittlefightbeforethefishcametohand。 \"This，allthis，wasintheoldentime，longago。\" TheGlengaberburnisabouttwentymilesfromanyrailwaystation，but，onthelastoccasionwhenIvisitedit，threeloutswerewormingtheirwayupit，withintwentyyardsofeachother，eachlout，withhishugerod，showinghimselfwhollytoanytroutthatmightbeleftinthewater。ThirtyyearsagotheburnsthatfeedSt。Mary\'sLochwerealmostunfished，andraresportwehadinthem，asboys，stayingatTibbieSheil\'sfamouscottage，andsleepinginherbox-beds，wheresooftentheEttrickShepherdandChristopherNorthhavelain，aftercopioustoddy。\"\'Tisgone，\'tisgone:\"notinourtimewillanyman，liketheEttrickShepherd，needacarttocarrythetrouthehasslaininMeggatWater。Thatstream，flowingthroughavalleyfurnishedwithagrass-growntrackforaroad，flows，asIsaid，intoSt。Mary\'sLoch。Therearetwoorthreelargepoolsatthefootoftheloch，inwhich，asasmallboyhardlypromotedtofly，Ihaveseenmanymonstersrisinggreedily。Mengotintothewayoffishingthesepoolsafterafloodwithminnow，andtherebymadehugebaskets，thebigfishrunninguptofeed，outoftheloch。But，whenlastIrowedpastMeggatfoot，thedeltaofthathistoricstreamwassimplycrowdedwithanglers，steppingininfrontofeachother。Iaskedifthismobwasapolitical\"demonstration，\"buttheystucktobusiness，asiftheyhadbeenontheRegent\'sCanal。Andthis，remember，wastwentymilesfromanytown!YetthereisaburnontheBorderstillundiscovered，stillfullofgreedytrout。IshallgivetheanglersuchahintofitswhereaboutsasTiresias，inHades，gavetoOdysseusconcerningtheendofhissecondwanderings。 When，Ostranger，thouhastreachedaburnwheretheshepherdaskstheeforthenewspaperwrappedroundthysandwiches，thathemayreadthenews，thenerectanaltartoPriapus，godoffishermen，andbegintoangleboldly。 ProbablythetroopswhofishourBorder-burnsstillmanagetotossoutsomedozensoftinyfishes，somesixoreighttothepound。 Arenotthesetriumphschronicledinthe\"Scotsman？\"Buttheycannotimaginewhatanglingwasinthedeadyears，norwhatgreattroutdweltbelowthelinnsoftheCrosscleughburn，beneaththeredclustersoftherowantrees，orinthewatersofthe\"LittleYarrow\"abovetheLochoftheLowes。Astothelochsthemselves，nowthatanyonemayputaboatonthem，nowthatthereisperpetualtrolling，aswellasfly-fishing，sothateveryfishknowsthelures，thefunismainlyover。InApril，nodoubt，somethingmaystillbedone，andinthesilvertwilightsofJune，whenasyoudriftonthestillsurfaceyouheartheconstantsweetplashoftherisingtrout，afew，andthesegood，maybetaken。Butthewaterwantsre-stocking，andtheburnsinwinterneedwatching，intheinterestsofspawningfish。Itisnobody\'sinterest，thatIknowof，totaketroubleandincurexpense；andfreefishing，bytheconstitutionoftheuniverse，mustendinbadfishingorinnoneatall。Thebestwecansayforitisthatvastnumbersofpersonsmay，bythestillwatersofthesemeres，enjoythepleasuresofhope。EvensolitudeisnolongertobefoundinthescenewhichScott，in\"Marmion，\"choosesasofallplacesthemostsolitary。 Here，haveIthought，\'tweresweettodwell，Andrearagainthechaplain\'scell。 Butnolongerdoes\"Yourhorse\'shooftreadsoundtoorude，Sostillyisthesolitude。\" Stilly!withthehornsandsongsfromomnibussesthatcarrytourists，andwithyellsfromnymphsandswainsdisportingthemselvesintheboats。YarrowisonlytheoldYarrowinwinter。 Agesandrevolutionsmustpassbeforetheancientpeacereturns； andonlyifthegoldenageisbornagain，andifwereviveinit，shallwefindSt。Mary\'swhatSt。Mary\'swaslangsyne- Ah，Buddha，ifthytalebetrue，Ofstillreturninglife，AmonkmayIbebornanew，Invalleysfreefromstrife，- AmonkwhereMeggatwindsandlavesTheloneSt。Mary\'softheWaves。 Yarrow，whichflowsoutofSt。Mary\'sLochwasneveragreatfavouriteofmine，asfarasfishinggoes。Ithad，andprobablydeserved，agreatreputation，andsomegoodtroutarestilltakenintheupperwaters，andtheremustbemonstersinthedeepblackpools，the\"dowiedens\"aboveBowhill。ButIneverhadanyluckthere。Thechoiceststreamofallwasthen，probably，theAill，describedbySirWalterin\"WilliamofDeloraine\'sMidnightRide\"- WhereAill，frommountainsfreed，Downfromthelakesdidravingcome； Eachwavewascrestedwithtawnyfoam，Likethemaneofachestnutsteed。 Asnotuncommonlyhappens，Scottusesratherlargelanguagehere。 Thesteepy，grassyhillsides，thegreatgreentablelandsinarecessofwhichtheAillisborn，canhardlybecalled\"mountains。\" The\"lakes，\"too，throughwhichitpasses，aremuchmoreliketarns，orrather，consideringtheflatnessoftheirbanks，likewell-meaningponds。ButtheAill，nearSintonandAshkirk，wasadelightfultrout-stream，betweenitswillow-fringedbanks，abrookaboutthesizeoftheLambourne。NowhereontheBorderweretroutmorenumerous，betterfed，andmoreeasilybeguiled。AweekonTestwouldIgladlygiveforonedayofboyhoodbesidetheAill，wherethecastingwasnotscientific，butwherethefishrosegamelyatalmostanyfly。Nobodyseemedtogotherethen，and，I fancy，nobodyneedgotherenow。Thenetsandotherdismaldevicesofthepoachersfromthetownshaveruinedthatpleasantbrook，whereonehaspassedsomanyahappyhour，walkingthelongwayhomewetandweary，butwellcontent。IntoAillflowsaburn，theHeadshawburn，wherethereusedtobegoodfish，becauseitrunsoutofHeadshawLoch，aweed-fringedlonelytarnonthebleaklevelofthetableland。Bleakasitmayseem，HeadshawLochhasthegreatcharmofabsolutesolitude:therearenotouristsnoranglershere，andthelifeofthebirdsisespeciallyfreeandcharming。Thetrout，too，arelarge，pinkofflesh，andgameofcharacter；buttheworldofmankindneednotrushthither。Theyarenottobecapturedbythewilesofmen，orsorarelythatthemostenthusiasticanglershavegiventhemup。Theyareassafeintheirtarnasthoseenchantedfishofthe\"ArabianNights。\" Perhapsasilversedgeinawarmtwilightmaysomewhatavail，buttheadventureisrarelyachieved。 Thesearethewaterswithwhichourboyhoodwasmainlyengaged；itisapleasuretonameandnumberthem。Memory，thathaslostsomuchandwouldgladlylosesomuchmore，bringsvividlybackthegoldensummereveningsbyTweedside，whenthetroutbegantoplashinthestillness——bringsbackthelong，lounging，solitarydaysbeneaththewoodsofAshiesteil——dayssolonelythattheysometimes，intheend，begatasuperstitiouseeriness。Oneseemedforsakeninanenchantedworld；onemightseethetwowhitefairydeerflitby，bringingtous，astoThomasRhymer，thetidingsthatwemustbacktoFairyland。Otherwatersweknewwell，andloved: thelittlesalmon-streaminthewestthatdoublesthroughtheloch，andrunsamileortwainbeneathitsalders，pastitsoldCelticbattle-field，beneaththeruinedshellofitsfeudaltower，tothesea。Manyahappydaywehadthere，onlochorstream，withthebigsea-troutwhichhavesomehowchangedtheirtastes，andto-daytakequitedifferentfliesfromthegreenbodyandtheredbodythatledthemtothelanding-netlongago。DeararethetwinAlines，butdearerisTweed，andEttrick，whereourancestorwasdrownedinaflood，andhiswhitehorsewasfound，nextday，feedingnearhisdeadbody，onalittlegrassyisland。Thereisagreatpleasureintryingnewmethods，inlabouringafterthedelicateartofthedryfly-fisherintheclearHampshirestreams，wheretheglassytideflowsoverthewavingtressesofcrow\'s-footbelowthepoplarshade。Butnothingcanbesogoodaswhatisold，and，asfarasanglinggoes，ispracticallyruined，thealternatepoolandstreamoftheBorderwaters，whereThetripleprideOfEildonlooksoverStrathclyde，andthesalmoncastmurmurshardbytheWizard\'sgrave。Theyareallgonenow，theoldalliesandtutorsintheangler\'sart——thekindgardenerwhobaitedourhooks；thegoodScotchjudgewhogaveusourfirstcollectionofflies；thefriendwhotookuswithhimonhissalmon-fishingexpedition，andmademenofuswithrealrods，and\"pirns\"ofancientmake。Thecompanionsofthosetimesarescattered，andliveunderstrangestarsandinconverseseasons，bytroutlesswaters。Itisnolongertheheightofpleasuretobehalf-drownedinTweed，orlostonthehillswithnoluncheoninthebasket。But，exceptforscarcityoffish，thesceneisverylittlealtered，andoneisaboyagain，inheart，beneaththeelmsofYair，orbytheGulletsatAshiesteil。Howeverbadthesport，itkeepsyouyoung，ormakesyouyoungagain，andyouneednotfollowPoncedeLeontothewesternwilderness，when，inanyriveryouknewofyore，youcanfindtheFountainofYouth。 LOCHAWE——THEBOATMAN\'SYARNS Goodtrout-fishinginScotland，southofthePentlandFirth，isalmostimpossibletoprocure。Therearebetterfish，andmoreofthem，intheWandle，withintwentyminutesofVictoriaStation，thaninanyequalstretchofanyScotchriverwithwhichIamacquainted。Butthepleasureofangling，luckily，doesnotconsistmerelyofthecatchingoffish。TheWandleisrathertoosuburbanforsometastes，whichprefersmallertrout，betterair，andwilderscenery。Tosuchspirits，LochAwemay，withcertaindistinctcautions，berecommended。Thereismorechanceforanglers，now，inScotchlochsthaninmostScotchrivers。Thelochscannotsoeasilybenetted，lined，polluted，andotherwisemadeemptyandugly，liketheBorderstreams。Theyarefartherofffromtownsandtourists，thoughdistanceisscarcelyacompleteprotection。ThebestlochsforyellowtroutaredecidedlythoseofSutherland。 Therearenorailways，andtherearetwohundredlochsandmoreintheParishofAssynt。There，inJune，theanglerwhoisagoodpedestrianmayactuallyenjoysolitude，sometimes。ThereisalochnearStrathnaver，andfarfromhumanhabitations，whereafriendofmyownrecentlycaughtsixty-fivetroutweighingaboutthirty-eightpounds。Theyarenumerousandplucky，butnotlarge，thoughacasualbigloch-troutmaybetakenbytrolling。Butitistrulyafarwaytothisanonymouslakeandallroundtheregularfishinginns，likeInchnadampfandForsinardthereisusuallyquitealittlecrowdofanglers。Thesportisadvertisedinthenewspapers；moreandmoreofoureagerfellow-creaturesareattracted，moreandmoretheshootingtenantsarepreservingwatersthatusedtobeopen。ThedistancetoSutherlandmakesthatcountyalmostbeyondtherangeofabriefholiday。LochLevenisnearer，andatLochLeventhesceneryisbetterthanitsreputation，whilethetroutareexcellent，thoughshy。ButLochLevenistoomuchcockneyfiedbyanglingcompetitions；moreover，itspleasuresareexpensive。LochAweremains，alochatoncelarge，lovely，nottoodistant，andnotdestituteofsport。 ThereaderofMr。Colquhoun\'sdelightfuloldbook，\"TheMoorandtheLoch，\"mustnotexpectLochAwetobewhatitoncewas。Therailway，whichhasmadethenorthsideofthelakesougly，hasbroughtthedistrictwithineasyreachofGlasgowandofEdinburgh。 Villasarebuiltonmanyabeautifulheight；herecouplescomefortheirhoneymoon，herewholeargosiesofboatsareanchoredoffthecoasts，heredosteamlaunchesply。Thehotelsareextremelycomfortable，theboatmenareexcellentboatmen，goodfishers，andcapitalcompany。Allthisispleasant，butallthisattractsmultitudesofanglers，anditisnotinnaturethatsportshouldbewhatitoncewas。OfthefamoussalmoferoxIcannotspeakfromexperience。ThehugecourageousfishisstillathomeinLochAwe，butnowheseesahundredbaits，naturalandartificial，wherehesawoneinMr。Colquhoun\'stime。Thetrulycontemplativemanmaystillsitinthesternoftheboat，withtworodsout，andpossesshissoulinpatience，asifhewerefishingfortarponinFlorida。 Iwishhimluck，butthediversionislittletomymind。Exceptinplayingthefish，ifhecomes，alltheskillisintheboatmen，whoknowwheretorow，atwhatpace，andinwhatdepthofwater。Astothechancesofsalmonagain，theyareperhapslessrare，buttheyarenotveryfrequent。Thefishdoesnotseemtotakefreelyintheloch，andonhiswayfromtheAwetotheOrchy。Astothetrout-fishing，itisverybadinthemonthswhenmostmentaketheirholidays，AugustandSeptember。FromthemiddleofApriltothemiddleofJuneisapparentlythebesttime。Thelochiswellprovidedwithbays，ofdifferentmerit，accordingtothefeedingwhichtheyprovide；somecomeearlier，somelaterintoseason。 Doubtlessthemostbeautifulpartofthelakeisaroundtheislands，betweentheLochAweandthePortSonachanhotels。TheGreenIsland，withitsstrangeCelticburying-ground，wherethedaffodilsbloomamongthesepulchreswiththeirrudecarvingsofbattlesandofarmedmen，hasmanytroutarounditsshores。Thefavouritefishing-places，however，arebetweenPortSonachanandFord。Inthemorningearly，thesteam-launchtowsafleetofboatsdowntheloch，andtheydriftbackagain，fishingallthebays，andarrivingathomeintimefordinner。Toofrequentlytheanglerisvexedbyfindingaboatbusyinhisfavouritebay。Iamnotsurethat，whenthetroutarereallytaking，thewaternearPortSonachanisnotasgoodasanyother。Muchdependsontheweather。 Inthehardnorth-eastwindsofAprilwecanscarcelyexpecttrouttofeedveryfreelyanywhere。TheseofLochAweareverypeculiarfish。Itakeitthattherearetwospecies——oneshort，thick，golden，andbeautiful；butthese，atleastinApril，aredecidedlyscarce。Thecommonsortislong，lanky，ofadarkgreenhue，andthereverseoflovely。Mostofthem，however，areexcellentatbreakfast，pinkintheflesh，andbetterflavoured，Ithink，thanthefamoustroutofLochLeven。Theyarealsoextremelygamefortheirsize；ahalf-poundtroutfightslikeapounder。Fromthirtytofortyfishinaday\'sincessantanglingisreckonednobadbasket。IngenialMayweather，probablythetroutaveragetwotothepound，andapounderortwomaybeinthedish。Butthreetothepoundisdecidedlynearertheaverage，atleastinApril。ThefliescommonlyusedarelargerthanwhatareemployedinLochLeven。Atealwingandredbody，agrousehackle，andtheprismaticHeckhamPeckhamareamongthefavourites；butitissaidthatfliesnobiggerthanTweedfliesareoccasionallysuccessful。 InmyownbriefexperienceIhavefoundthetrout\"dour，\" occasionallytheywouldrisefreelyforanhouratnoon，orintheevening；butoftenonepassedhourswithscarcelyarisingfish。 Thismayhavebeenduetothebitternessoftheweather，ortomyownlackofskill。Notthatlochsgenerallyrequiremuchartificeintheangler。Tosinkthefliesdeep，andmovethemwithshortjerks，appears，nowandthen，tobeefficacious。TherehasbeensomecontroversyaboutLochAwetrouting；thisisasfavourableaviewofthesportasIcanhonestlygive。Itisnotexcellent，but，thankstothegreatbeautyofthescenery，themanypointsofviewonsolargeandindentedalake，thecharmofthewoodandwildflowers，LochAweiswellworthavisitfrompersonswhodonotpitchtheirhopestoohigh。 LochAwewouldhavecontentedmelesshadIbeenlessfortunateinmyboatman。ItisoftensaidthattraditionhasdiedoutintheHighlands；itislivingyet。 Afterthreedaysofnorthwindandfailure，itoccurredtomethatmyboatmanmightknowthelocalfolklore——thefairytalesandtraditions。Asarule，traditionisapurelyprofessionalpartofaguide\'sstock-in-trade，buttheanglerwhohadmybarqueinhischargeprovedtobeafreshfountainoflegend。HisowncountyisnotArgyleshire，butInverness，andwedidnotdealmuchinlocalmyth。True，hetoldmewhyLochAweceased——likethesiteofSodomandGomorrah——tobeacultivatedvalleyandbecamealake，wherethetroutaresmalland，externally，green。 \"LochAwewasonceafertilevalley，anditbelongedtoanolddame。ShewascalledDameCruachan，thesameasthehill，andshelivedhighuponthehill-side。Nowtherewasawellonthehill- side，andshewasalwaystocoverupthewellwithabigstonebeforethesunset。Butonedayshehadbeenworkinginthevalleyandshewasweary，andshesatdownbythepathonherwayhomeandfellasleep。Andthesunhadgonedownbeforeshereachedthewell，andinthenightthewaterbrokeoutandfilledalltheplain，andwhatwaslandisnowwater。\"This，then，wastheoriginofLochAwe。ItisalittleliketheAustralianaccountoftheDeluge。Thatcalamitywasproducedbyaman\'sshowingawomanthemysticturndun，anativesacredtoy。Instantlywaterbrokeoutoftheearthanddrownedeverybody。 Thisismerelyalocallegend，suchasboatmenareexpectedtoknow。Asthegreentroututterlydeclinedtorise，ItriedtheboatmanwiththeIrishstoryofwhytheGruagachGaireleftofflaughing，andallabouttheharethatcameanddefiledhistable，asrecitedbyMr。Curtininhis\"IrishLegends\"(Sampson，Low，& Co。)。Theboatmandidnotknowthisfable，buthedidknowofareddeerthatcameandspoketoagentleman。ThiswasastoryfromtheMacphersoncountry。Igiveitfirstintheboatman\'swords，andthenweshalldiscussthehistoryofthelegendasknowntoSirWalterScottandJamesHogg，theEttrickShepherd。 THEYARNOFTHEBLACKOFFICER \"Itwasabout\'thelastChristmasofthehundred\'——theendoflastcentury。TheywantedmenfortheBlackWatch(42ndHighlanders)，andtheBlackOfficer，astheycalledhim，wassenttohisowncountrytoenlistthem。Somehegotwillingly，andothersbyforce。HepromisedhewouldonlytakethemtoLondon，wheretheKingwantedtoreviewthem，andthenletthemgohome。Sotheycame，thoughtheylittlelikedit，andhewasmarchingthemsouth。 NowatnighttheyreachedaplacewherenobodywouldhavehaltedthemexcepttheBlackOfficer，foritwasagreatplaceforghosts。 Andtheywouldhaverunawayiftheyhaddared，buttheywereafraidofhim。Sosometriedtosleepinthreesandfours，andsomewereafraidtosleep，andtheysatuproundthefire。ButtheBlackOfficer，hewentsomewayfromtherest，andlaydownbeneathatree。 \"Nowasthenightworeon，andwhilesitwouldbedarkandwhilesthemoonshone，amancame——theydidnotknowfromwhere——abigredman，anddrewuptothefire，andwastalkingwiththem。AndheaskedwheretheBlackOfficerwas，andtheyshowedhim。Nowtherewasoneman，ShamusMackenzietheycalledhim，andhewasverycurious，andhemustbeseeingwhattheydid。Sohefollowedtheman，andsawhimstoopandspeaktotheofficer，buthedidnotwaken；thenthisindividualtooktheBlackOfficerbythebreastandshookhimviolently。ThenShamusknewwhothestrangerwas，fornomanalivedursthavedoneasmuchtotheBlackOfficer。AndtherewastheBlackOfficerkneelingtohim! \"Well，whattheysaid，Shamuscouldnothear，andpresentlytheywalkedaway，andtheBlackOfficercamebackalone。 \"HetookthemtoEngland，butnevertoLondon，andtheyneversawtheKing。HetookthemtoPortsmouth，andtheywereembarkedforIndia，wherewewerefightingtheFrench。Therewasatownwecouldn\'tgetinto\"(Seringapatam？)，\"andtheBlackOfficervolunteeredtomakeatunnelunderthewalls。Nowtheyworkedthreedays，andwhetheritwastheFrenchheardthemandletthemdigon，ornot，anyway，onthethirddaytheFrenchbrokeinonthem。Theykeptsendingmenintothetunnel，andmoremen，andstilltheywonderedwhowasfightingwithin，andhowwecouldhavesolargeapartyinthetunnel；soatlasttheybroughttorches，andtherewasnomanaliveonoursidebuttheBlackOfficer，andhehadawallofcorpsesbuiltupinfrontofhim，andwasfightingacrossit。HehadmorelighttoseebythantheFrenchhad，foritwasdarkbehindhim，andtherewouldbesomelightontheirside。 Soatlasttheybroughtsomecombustiblesandblewitallup。 Threedaysafterthatwetookthetown。Someofoursoldiersweresenttodigoutthetunnel，andwiththemwasShamusMackenzie。\" \"AndtheyneverfoundtheBlackOfficer，\"Isaid，thinkingofyoungCampbellinSekukoeni\'sfightingkoppie。 \"Oh，yes，\"saidtheboatman，\"ShamusfoundthebodyoftheBlackOfficer，allblackwithsmoke，andhelaidhimdownonagreenknoll，andwasstandingoverthedeadman，andwasthinkingofhowmanyplacestheyhadbeenintogether，andofhisowncountry，andhowhewishedhewasthereagain。Thenthedeadman\'sfacemoved。 \"Shamusturnedandranforhislife，andhewasrunningtillhemetsomeofficers，andhetoldthemthattheBlackOfficer\'sbodyhadstirred。Theythoughthewaslying，buttheywentofftotheplace，andoneofthemhadthethoughttotakeaflaskofbrandyinhispocket。Whentheycametothelifelessbodyitstirredagain，andwithonethingandanothertheybroughthimround。 \"TheBlackOfficerwasnothimselfagainforlong，andtheytookhimhometohisowncountry，andhelayinbedinhishouse。Andeverydayareddeerwouldcometothehouse，andgointohisroomandsitonachairbesidethebed，speakingtohimlikeaman。 \"Well，theBlackOfficergotbetteragain，andwentaboutamonghisfriends；andoncehewasdrivinghomefromadinner-party，andShamuswaswithhim。Itwasjustthelastnightofthehundred。 Andontheroadtheymetaman，andShamusknewhim——foritwashimtheyhadseenbythefireonthemarch，asItoldyouatthebeginning。TheBlackOfficergotdownfromhiscarriageandjoinedtheman，andtheywalkedabitapart；butShamus——hewassocurious——whateverhappenedhemustseethem。Andhecamewithinhearingjustastheywereparting，andheheardthestrangersay，\'Thisisthenight。\' \"\'No，\'saidtheBlackOfficer，\'thisnightnextyear。\' \"Sohecameback，andtheydrovehome。Ayearwentby，andtheBlackOfficerwasseekingthroughthecountryforthetwelvebestmenhecouldfindtoaccompanyhimtosomedeer-huntorthelike。 AndheaskedShamus，buthepretendedhewasill——Oh，hewasveryunwell!——andhecouldnotgo，butstayedinbedathome。SotheBlackOfficerchoseanotherman，andheandthetwelvesetout——thethirteenofthem。Buttheywereneverseenagain。\" \"Neverseenagain？Weretheylostinthesnow？\" \"Itdidcomeonaheavyfall，sir。\" \"Buttheirbodieswerefound？\" \"No，sir——thoughtheysearchedhighandlow；theyarenotfound，indeed，tillthisday。ItwasthoughttheBlackOfficerhadsoldhimselfandtwelveothermen，sir。\" \"TotheDevil？\" \"Itwouldbethat。\" Forthenarratornevermentionsourghostlyfoe，whichproducesasolemneffect。 Thisstorywasabsolutelynewtome，andmuchIwishedthatMr。 LouisStevensoncouldhaveheardit。TheblendingofthefarEastwiththeHighlandsremindsoneofhis\"MasterofBallantrae，\"andwhatmighthenotmakeofthatfairyreddeer!Myboatman，too，toldmewhatMr。StevensonsaystheHighlanderswillnottell——thenameofthemanwhocommittedthemurderofwhichAlanBreckwasaccused。ButthissecretIdonotintendtodivulge。 ThestoryoftheBlackOfficerthenseemedabsolutelyunpublished。 ButwhenSirWalterScott\'sdiarywasgiventotheworldinOctober，1890，itturnedoutthathewasnotwhollyignorantofthelegend。In1828hecomplainsthathehasbeenannoyedbyalady，becausehehadprinted\"inthe\'Review\'\"arawheadandbloody-bonesstoryofherfather，MajorMacpherson，whowaslostinasnowstorm。 ThisMajorMacphersonwasclearlytheBlackOfficer。Mr。Douglas，thepublisherofScott\'sdiary，discoveredthatthe\"Review\" mentionedvaguelybyScottwasthe\"ForeignQuarterly，\"No。I，July，1827。InanessayonHoffmann\'snovels，SirWalterintroducedthetaleastoldtohiminaletterfromanoblemansometimedeceased，notmoredistinguishedforhisloveofsciencethanhisattachmenttoliteratureinallitsbranches。 Thetaleistoolongtobegivencompletely。Briefly，aCaptainM。，onSt。Valentine\'sday，1799，hadbeendeer-shooting(atanoddtimeoftheyear)inthehillswestofD。Hedidnotreturn，aterriblesnowstormsetin，andfinallyheandhisfriendswerefounddeadinabothy，whichthetempesthadliterallydestroyed。 Largestonesfromthewallswerefoundlyingatdistancesofahundredyards；thewoodenuprightsweretwistedlikebrokensticks。