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，andatemperwhichusuallysweetandangelicisgoadedtomadnessbythelawsofmatterandofgravitation。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。TheywantedmenfortheBlackWatch42ndHighlanders，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-shootingatanoddtimeoftheyearinthehillswestofD。Hedidnotreturn，aterriblesnowstormsetin，andfinallyheandhisfriendswerefounddeadinabothy，whichthetempesthadliterallydestroyed。
Largestonesfromthewallswerefoundlyingatdistancesofahundredyards；thewoodenuprightsweretwistedlikebrokensticks。