TheCaptainwaslyingdead，withouthisclothes，onthebed；onemanwasdiscoveredatadistance，anotherneartheCaptain。Thenitwasrememberedthat，atthesamebothyamonthbefore，ashepherdladhadinquiredfortheCaptain，hadwalkedwithhimforsometime，andthat，ontheofficer\'sreturn，\"amysteriousanxietyhungabouthim。\"Afirehadalsobeenseenblazingonanoppositeheight，andwhensomeofthegillieswenttothespot，\"therewasnofiretobeseen。\"Onthedaywhentheexpeditionhadstarted，theCaptainwaswarnedoftheillweather，buthesaid\"heMUST
go。\"Hewasanunpopularman，andwasaccusedofgettingmoneybyprocuringrecruitsfromtheHighlands，oftenbycruelmeans。\"Ourinformertoldusnothingmore；heneithertoldushisownopinion，northatofthecountry，butleftittoourownnotionsofthemannerinwhichgoodandevilisrewardedinthislifetosuggesttheauthorofthemiserableevent。Heseemedimpressedwithsuperstitiousaweonthesubject，andsaid，\'Therewasnathelikeseenina\'Scotland。\'ThemanisfaradvancedinyearsandisaschoolmasterintheneighbourhoodofRannoch。\"
SirWaltersaysthat\"thefeelingofsuperstitiousaweannexedtothecatastrophecouldnothavebeenimprovedbyanycircumstancesofadditionalhorrorwhichapoetcouldhaveinvented。Butistherenotsomethingmoremovingstillintheboatman\'sversion:
\"theywereneverseenagain……theywerenotfoundindeedtillthisday\"？
Thefolklorist，ofcourse，iseagertoknowwhethertheboatman\'smuchmorecompleteandconnectednarrativeisapopularmythicaldevelopmentintheyearsbetween1820and1890，orwhethertheschoolmasterofRannochdidnottellallheknew。Itisunlikely，Ithink，thatthesiegeofSeringapatamwouldhavebeenrememberedsolonginconnectionwiththeBlackOfficerifithadnotformedpartofhisoriginallegend。MeanwhiletheearliestprintednoticeoftheeventwithwhichIamacquainted，anoticeonlytenyearslaterthanthedateoftheMajor\'sdeathin1799，isgivenbyHoggin\"TheSpy，\"1810-11，pp。101-3。Iofferanabridgmentofthenarrative。
\"AbouttheendoflastcenturyMajorMacphersonandapartyoffriendswentouttohuntontheGrampiansbetweenAtholeandBadenoch。Theywerehighlysuccessful，andintheafternoontheywentintoalittlebothy，and，havingmeatanddrink，theyabandonedthemselvestojollity。
\"Duringtheirmerry-makingayoungmanenteredwhoseappearanceparticularlystruckandsomewhatshockedMacpherson；thestrangerbeckonedtotheMajor，andhefollowedhiminstantlyoutofthebothy。
\"Whentheyparted，afterapparentlyhavinghadsomeearnestconversation，thestrangerwasoutofsightlongbeforetheMajorwashalf-wayback，thoughonlytwentyyardsaway。
\"TheMajorshowedonhisreturnsuchevidentmarksoftrepidationthatthemirthwasmarredandnoonecaredtoaskhimquestions。
\"Thiswasearlyintheweek，andonFridaytheMajorpersuadedhisfriendstomakeasecondexpeditiontothemountains，fromwhichtheyneverreturned。
\"Onasearchbeingmadetheirdeadbodieswerefoundinthebothy，someconsiderablymangled，butsomewerenotmarkedbyanywound。
\"Itwasvisiblethatthishadnotbeeneffectedbyhumanagency:
thebothywastornfromitsfoundationsandscarcelyavestigeleftofit，andonehugestone，whichtwelvemencouldnothaveraised，wastossedtoaconsiderabledistance。
\"OnthiseventScott\'sbeautifulballadof\"Glenfinlas\"issaidtohavebeenfounded。\"
Aswillbeseenpresently，Hoggwaswrongabout\"Glenfinlas\"；theboatmanwasacquaintedwithatraditionalversionofthatwildlegend。IfoundanotheratRannoch。
TheHighlandfairiesareveryvampirish。TheLochAweboatmanlivesataspothauntedbyashadowymaiden。Herlastappearancewasaboutthirtyyearsago。Twoyoungmenwerethrashingcornonemorning，whenthejointoftheflailbroke。TheownerwenttoLarichbanandenteredanouthousetolookforapieceofsheepskinwherewithtomendtheflail。Hewaslongabsent，andhiscompanionwentafterhim。Hefoundhimstrugglinginthearmsofaghostlymaid，whohadnearlymurderedhim，butdepartedonthearrivalofhisfriend。Itisnoteasytomakeoutwhattheseghoulishwomenare——notfairiesexactly，norwitches，norvampires。Forexample，threeshepherdsatalonelysheilingwerediscoursingoftheirloves，anditwas，\"Oh，howhappyIshouldbeifKatiewerehere，orMaggie，orBessie!\"asthecasemightbe。Sotheywouldsayandsotheywouldwish，andlo!oneevening，thethreegirlscametothedoorofthehut。Sotheymadethemwelcome；butoneoftheshepherdswasplayingtheJew\'s-harp，andhedidnotliketheturnmattersweretaking。
Thetwoothersstoleoffintocornersofthedarklinghutwiththeirlovers，butthisprudentladnevertookhislipsofftheJew\'s-harp。
\"Harpingisgoodifnoillfollowsit，\"saidthesemblanceofhissweetheart；butheneveranswered。Heplayedandthrummed，andoutofonedarkcornertrickledredbloodintothefire-light，andoutofanothercornercameacurrentofbloodtomeetit。Thenheslowlyrose，stillharping，andbackedhiswaytothedoor，andfledintothehillsfromthesecruelairyshapesoffalsedesire。
\"Anddothepeopleactuallybelieveallthat？\"
\"Ay，dothey!\"
Thatistheboatman\'sversionofScott\'sthemein\"Glenfinlas。\"
Witchesplayedagreatpartinhisnarratives。
Intheboatman\'scountrythereisaplain，andontheplainisaknoll，abouttwicetheheightofaone-storeyedcottage，andpointed\"likeasugar-loaf。\"Theoldpeopleremember，orhaveheard，thatthismoundwasnottherewhentheywereyoung。Itswelledupsuddenlyoutofthegraveofawitchwhowasburiedthere。
Thewitchwasagreatenemyofashepherd。Everymorningshewouldputontheshapeofahare，andrunbeforehisdogs，andleadthemawayfromthesheep。Heknewitwasrighttoshootatherwithacrookedsixpence，andhehitheronthehindleg，andthedogswereafterher，andchasedthehareintotheoldwoman\'scottage。Theshepherdranafterthem，andtherehefoundthem，tearingattheoldwoman；buttheharewastwistedroundtheirnecks，andshewascrying，\"Tighten，hare，tighten!\"anditwaschokingthem。Sohetorethehareoffthedogs；andthentheoldwomanbeggedhimtosaveherfromthem，andshepromisednevertoplaguehimagain。
\"Butiftheolddog\'steethhadbeenassharpastheyoungone\'s，shewouldhavebeenadeadwoman。\"
Whenthiswitchdiedsheknewshecouldneverlieinsafetyinhergrave；buttherewasaverysafechurchyardinAberdeenshire，ahundredandfiftymilesaway，andifshecouldgetintothatshewouldbeatrest。Andsheroseoutofhergrave，andoffshewent，andtheDevilafterher，onablackhorse；but，praisetotheswiftnessofherfeet，shewonthechurchyardbeforehim。Herfirstgraveswelledup，oh，ashighasthatgreenhillock!
Witchesarestillinactivepractice。Therewasanoldwomanverymiserly。Shewouldalwaybetakingoneofherneighbours\'sheepfromthehills，andtheystooditforlong；theydidnotliketomeddlewithher。Atlastitgrewsobadthattheybroughtherbeforethesheriff，andshegoteighteenmonthsinprison。Whenshecameoutshewasveryangry，andsetaboutmakinganimageofthewomanwhosesheepshehadtaken。Whentheimagewasmadesheburneditandputtheashesinaburn。Anditisaverycuriousthing，butthewomanshemadeitonfellintoadecline，andtooktoherbed。
ThewitchandherfamilywenttoAmerica。Theykeptalittleinn，inacountryplace，andpeoplewhosleptinitdidnotcomeoutagain。Theywerediscovered，andtheeldestsonwashanged；heconfessedthathehadcommittednineteenmurdersbeforeheleftScotland。
\"Theywerenotanicefamily。\"
\"Thefatherwasaveryrespectableoldman。\"
Theboatmangavemethenameofthiswickedhousehold，butitisperhapsbetterforgotten。
TheextraordinarythingisthatthisappearstobetheHighlandintroductionto，orpartfirstof，agloomyandsanguinarystoryofamurderhole——aninnofassassinsinalonelydistrictoftheUnitedStates，whichMr。LouisStevensonheardinhistravelsthere，andtoldtomesomeyearsago。Thedetailshaveescapedmymemory，but，asMr。Stevensonnarratedthem，theyrivalledDeQuincey\'sawfulstoryofWilliams\'smurdersintheRatcliffeHighway。
LifemuststillbehauntedinBadenoch，asitwasonIda\'shill，byformsofunearthlybeauty，thegoddessortheghostyetwooingtheshepherd；indeed，theboatmantoldmemanystoriesoflivingsuperstitionandterrorsofthenight；butwhyshouldIexhausthiswallet？Tobesure，itseemedveryfulloftales；theseofferedheremaybebutthelegendswhichcamefirsttohishand。Theboatmanisnothimselfabelieverinthefairyworld，ornotmorethanallsensiblemenoughttobe。Thesupernaturalistoopleasantathingforustodiscardinanearnest，scientificmannerlikeMr。Kipling\'sAurelianMcGubben。PerhapsIammoresuperstitiousthantheboatman，andtheyarnsIswoppedwithhimaboutghostsIhavemetwouldseemevenmoremendacioustopossessorsofpocketmicroscopesandofthemodernspirit。ButI
wouldratherhaveonebansheestorythanfifteenpagesofproofthat\"life，whichbeganasacell，withac，istoendasasell，withans。\"Itshouldbeaddedthattheboatmanhasgivenhisconsenttotheprintingofhisyarns。Onbeingofferedamoietyoftheprofits，heobservedthathehadnoobjectiontothese，butthatheentirelydeclinedtoberesponsibleforanyshareoftheexpenses。Wouldthatallauthorswereassagacious，forthentheamateurnovelistandtheminorpoetwouldvexusnomore。
PerhapsIshouldnotethatIhavenotmadetheboatmansay\"whateffer，\"becausehedoesn\'t。TheoccasionaluseoftheimperfectisalmosthisonlyGaelicidiom。Itisagreatcomfortandpleasure，whenthetroutdonotrise，tomeetaskilledandunaffectednarratoroftheoldbeliefs，oldlegends，asancientasthehillsthatgirdleandguardtheloch，orasantique，atleast，asman\'sdwellingamongthemountains——theYellowHill，theCalfHill，theHilloftheStack。Thebeautyofthescene，thepleasanttalk，thedaffodilsonthegreenisleamongtheCelticgraves，compensateforacertain\"dourness\"amongthefishesofLochAwe。
Ontheoccasionswhentheyarenotdourtheyriseverypleasantandfree，but，inthesebriefmoments，itisnotoflegendsandfolklorethatyouarethinking，butofthelanding-net。Theboatman，bytheway，waseithernotwellacquaintedwithMarchen——
Celticnursery-talessuchasCampbellofIslaycollected，orwasnotmuchinterestedinthem，or，perhaps，hadtheshynessaboutnarratingthisparticularsortofoldwives\'fableswhichissocommon。PeoplewhodoknowthemseldomtelltheminSassenach。
LOCH-FISHING
LITTLELOCHBEG
Thereissomethingmysteriousinloch-fishing，inthetastesandhabitsofthefishwhichinhabittheinnumerablelakesandtarnsofScotland。Itisnotalwayseasytoaccounteitherfortheirpresenceortheirabsence，fortheirnumbersorscarcity，theireagernesstotakeortheir\"dourness。\"Forexample，thereisLochBorlan，closetothewell-knownlittleinnofAlt-na-geal-gachinSutherland。Unlessthatpieceofwaterisgreatlychanged，itissimplyfulloffishofaboutaquarterofapound，whichwillriseatalmostanytimetoalmostanyfly。Thereisnotmuchpleasureincatchingsuchtinyandeagertrout，butintheseasoncomplacentanglerscaptureandboastoftheirmanydozens。Ontheotherhand，ayearortwoago，abeginnertookafour-poundtrouttherewiththefly。IfsuchtroutexistinBorlan，itishardtoexplainthepresenceoftheinnumerablefry。Onewouldexpectthegiantsofthedeeptokeepdowntheirpopulation。Notfaroffisanothersmalllake，LochAwe，whichhasinvisibleadvantagesoverLochBorlan，yettherethetroutare，orwere，\"fatandfairofflesh，\"
likeTamlaneintheballad。WhereforearethetroutinLochTummellsobigandstrong，fromonetofivepounds，andsoscarce，whilethoseinLochAwearenumerousandsmall？Oneoccasionallyseesexamplesofhowquicklytroutwillincreaseinweight，andwhatcurioushabitstheywilladopt。Inacountyofsouth-westernScotlandthereisalargevillage，populatedbyakeenlydevotedsetofanglers，whomissnoopportunity。Withinaquarterofamileofthevillageisasmalltarn，verypicturesquelysituatedamonglowhills，andprovidedwiththeverytiniestfeederandoutflow。Thereisasluiceattheoutflow，and，forsomereason，thefarmerusedtoletmostofthewaterout，inthesummerofeveryyear。Inwinterthetarnisusedbythecurlingclub。Itisnotdeep，hasratheramarshybottom，andmanyducks，snipe，andwild-fowlgenerallydwellamongthereedsandmarishplantsofitssides。Nobodyeverdreamedoffishinghere，butonedayarustic，\"glowering\"idlyoverthewalloftheadjacentroad，sawfishrising。Hementionedhisdiscoverytoanangler，whoissaidtohavecaughtsomelargetrout，buttraditionvariesabouteverything，exceptthatthefisharevery\"dour。\"OneeveninginAugust，awarm，stillevening，Ihappenedtovisitthetarn。Assoonasthesunfellbelowthehills，itwasliterallyalivewithlargetroutrising。Asfarasonecouldestimatefromthebriefviewofheadsandshoulders，theyweresometimestwoorthreepoundsinweight。Igotmyrod，ofcourse，asdidaruralfriend。
Minewasasmallcanerod，hisasalmon-rod。IfishedwithoneTest-fly；hewiththreelargeloch-flies。Thefishwererisingactuallyatourfeet，buttheyseemedtomoveaboutverymuch，never，orseldom，risingtwiceexactlyatthesameplace。Thehypothesiswasstartedthattherewerebutfewofthem，andthattheyranroundandround，likeastagearmy，togiveanappearanceofmultitude。Butthisappearsimprobable。Whatiscertainwasourutterinabilityevertogetarisefromtheprovokingcreatures。Thedryflyisdifficulttouseonaloch，asthereisnostreamtomoveit，andhowevergentlyyoudrawititmakesa\"wake\"——atrailbehindit。Wetordry，or\"twixtwetanddry，\"
liketheconvivialpersoninthesong，wecouldnoneofusraisethem。Ididcatchasmallbutbeautifullyproportionedandpink-
fleshedtroutwiththealder，buteverythingelse，silversedgeandall，everythingfrommidgetoMay-fly，inthelatetwilight，wasofferedtotheminvain。Inwindyorcloudyweatheritwasjustasuseless；indeed，Ineversawthemrise，exceptinawarmsummerstillness，atandaftersunset。Probablytheywouldhavetakenasmallredworm，pitchedintotherippleofarise；butwedidnottrythat。Afterafewevenings，theyseemedtogiveuprisingaltogether。Idon\'tfeelcertainthattheyhadnotbeennetted:
yetnotroutseemedtobeonsaleinthevillage。Theirpresenceinthewatermayperhapsbeaccountedforthus:theymayhavecomeintothelochfromtheriver，bywayofthetinyfeeder；buttheriver-troutarebothscarceandsmall。Anewfarmerhadgivenuplettingthewateroff，andprobablytheremusthavebeenveryrichfeeding，water-shrimpsorsnails，whichmightpartlyaccountfortherefusaltoriseattheartificialfly。Ortheymayhavebeenotteredbythevillagers，thoughthatwouldratherhavemadethemriseshortthannotriseatall。
Thereisanotherlochonanextremelyremotehillside，eightmilesfromthesmallesttown，inapastoralcountry。Therearetroutenoughintheloch，andofexcellentsizeandflavour，butyouscarcelyevergetthem。Theyrisefreely，buttheyALWAYSriseshort。Itis，Ithink，themostprovokinglochIeverfished。Youraisethem；theycomeupfreely，showingbroadsidesofaruddygold，likethehandsomestTesttrout，buttheyalmostinvariablymissthehook。Youdonotlandoneoutoftwenty。Thereasonis，apparently，thatpeoplefromthenearesttownusetheotterinthesummerevenings，whenthesetroutrisebest。InaSutherlandloch，Mr。EdwardMosstellsusin\"ASeasoninSutherland\"，thatheoncefoundanelegantotter，awell-madeengineofsomeunscrupuloustourist，lyinginthebottomofthewateronasunnyday。AtLochSkene，onthetopofahill，twentymilesfromanytown，ottersareoccasionallyfoundbythekeeperortheshepherds，concealedneartheshore。Thepracticeofotteringcangivelittlepleasuretoanybutadepravedmind，andnothingeducatestroutsorapidlyinto\"risingshort\"；whytheyarenottobehadwhentheyarerisingmostvehemently，\"tothemselves，\"isanothermystery。A
fewrisesareencouraging，butwhenthewaterisallsplashingwithrises，asaruletheanglerisonlytantalised。Awindyday，adaywithalargeripple，butwithoutwhitewavesbreaking，is，asarule，bestforaloch。Insomelochsthesea-troutprefersuchahurricanethataboatcanhardlybekeptonthewater。Ihaveknownastrongnorthwindinautumnputdownthesea-trout，whereasthesalmonrose，withunusualeagerness，justintheshallowswherethewavesbrokeinfoamontheshore。ThebestdayIeverhadwithsea-troutwasmuggyandgrey，andthefishweremosteagerwhenthewaterwasstill，exceptforatremendouslyheavyshowerofrain，\"asingingshower，\"asGeorgeChapmanhasit。Onthatdaytworodscaughtthirty-ninesea-trout，weighingfortypounds。Butitisdifficulttosaybeforehandwhatdaywilldowell，exceptthatsunshineisbad，anorthwindworse，andnowindatallusuallymeansanemptybasket。Eventothisrulethereareexceptions，andoneoftheseisinthecaseofatarnwhichIshallcall，pleonastically，LittleLochBeg。
Thisisnottherealnameoftheloch——quiteenoughpeopleknowitsrealnamealready。Nordoesitseemnecessarytomentionthedistrictwherethelochlieshidden；sufficeittosaythatalandofmorestreamsandscarcertroutyouwillhardlyfind。Wehadtriedalltheriversandburnstonopurpose，andthelochsarecapriciousandoverfished。Onelochwehadnottried，LochBeg。
Youwalk，ordrive，afewmilesfromanyvillage，thenyouclimbafewhundredyardsofhill，andfromtheridgeyousee，ononehandagreatamphitheatreofgreenandpurplemountain-sides，inthewest；ontheeast，withinahundredyardsunderaslope，isLochBeg。Itisnotamileincircumference，andallbutsomeeightyyardsofshoreisdefendedagainsttheanglerbywidebedsofwater-lilies，withtheirprettywhitefloatinglamps，orbytallsedgesandreeds。Noristhewadingeasy。Fourstepsyoumakewithsafety，atthefifthyourforemostlegsinksinmudapparentlybottomless。Mostpeoplefishonlytheeasternside，whereofafewscoreyardsareopen，witharockyandgravellybottom。
Now，alllochshavetheirhumours。Insometroutlikeabigfly，insomeasmallone，butalmostalldobestwitharoughwindorrain。IknewenoughofLochBegtoapproachitatnoononablazingdayofsunshine，whenthesurfacewaslikeglass。ItwaslikethatwhenfirstIsawit，andashepherdwarnedusthatwe\"woulddaenaething\"；wedidlittle，indeed，butIrosenearlyeveryrisingfishIcastover，losingthemall，too，andinsomecasesbeingbroken，asIwasusingveryfinegut，andthefishwereheavy。Anothertrialseemeddesirable，andthenumberofrisingtroutwasmosttempting。Alloverittroutwererisingtothenaturalfly，withbigcircleslikethoseyouseeintheTestattwilight；whileinthecentre，wherenoartificialflycanbecastforwantofaboat，abigfishwouldthrowhimselfoutofthewaterinhiseagerness。OnesuchIsawwhichcouldnothaveweighedunderthreepounds，ashort，thick，dark-yellowfish。
Iwasusingalighttwo-handedrod，andfanciedthatasingleTest-
flyonveryfinetacklewouldbethebestlure。Itcertainlyrosethetrout，ifonethrewintothecircletheymade；buttheyneverwerehooked。Onefishofaboutapoundandahalfthrewhimselfoutofthewateratit，hitit，andbrokethefinetackle。SoI
wentonraisingthem，butnevergettingthem。Aslongasthesunblazedandnobreezeruffledthewater，theyrosebravely，butacloudorevenarippleseemedtosendthemdown。
AtlastItriedabigalder，andwiththatIactuallytouchedafew，andevenlandedseveralontheshelvingbank。Theiraverageweight，asweprovedonseveraloccasions，wasexactlythree-
quartersofapound；butweneversucceededinlandinganyofthereallybigones。
Alocalanglertoldmehehadcaughtoneoftwopounds，andlostanother\"likeayounggrilse，\"afterhehaddrawnitontothebank。Icaneasilybelieveit，forinnoloch，butone，haveI
everseensomanyreallybigandhandsomefishfeeding。LochBegiswithinamileofalargerandfamousloch，butitisinfinitelybetter，thoughtheotherlooksmuchmorefavourableinallwaysforsport。Theonlyplacewherefishingiseasy，asIhavesaid，isamerestripofcoastunderthehill，wherethereissomegravel，andthemouthofaverytinyfeeder，usuallydry。Offthisplacethetroutrosefreely，butnotnearsofreelyasinacertaincorner，quiteoutofreachwithoutaboat，wheretheleviathanslivedandsported。
Afterthelittleexpanseofopenshorehadbeenfishedoverafewtimes，thetroutthereseemedtogrowmoreshy，andtherewasacertainmonotonyinwalkingthistinyquarter-deckofspace。SoI
wentroundtothewestside，wherethewater-liliesare。Fishwererisingaboutthreeyardsbeyondtheweedybeds，andIfoolishlythoughtIwouldtryforthem。Now，youcannotoverestimatethedifficultyofcastingaflyacrossyardsofwater-lilies。Youcatchintheweedsasyouliftyourlineforafreshcast，andthenyouhavetoextricateitlaboriously，shorteningline，andthentoletitoutagain，andprobablycometogriefoncemore。
Isawatroutrise，withahugesullencircledimplingroundhim，castoverhim，raisedhim，andmissedhim。Thewaterwasperfectlystill，andthe\"plop\"madebythesefishwasveryexcitingandtantalising。Thenextthatrosetookthealder，and，ofcourse，ranrightintothebroadbandoflilies。ItriedallthedodgesI
couldthinkof，andallthatMr。Halfordsuggests。Idraggedathimhard。Igavehimline。Isatdownandendeavouredtodisengagemythoughts，butInevergotaglimpseofhim，andfinallyhadtowadeasfarinasIdared，andsaveasmuchofthecastinglineasIcould；itwasverylittle。
Therewasonethingtobesaidforthetroutonthisside:theymeantbusiness。Theydidnotriseshyly，liketheothers，butwentfortheflyifitcameatallnearthem，andthen，downtheyrushed，andboltedintothelily-roots。
Anewplanoccurredtome。IputonabouteighteeninchesofthestoutestgutIhad，totheendIknottedthebiggestsea-troutflyIpossessed，and，hookingthenextfishthatrose，Iturnedmybackonthelochandranuphillwiththerod。LookingbackIsawatroutwelloverapoundflyingacrossthelilies；butalas!theholdwasnotstrongenough，andhefellback。AgainandagainI
triedthismethod，invariablyhookingthetrout，thoughtheheavyshortcasting-lineandthebigflyfellveryawkwardlyinthedeadstillnessofthewater。Ihadsomeexcitingrunswiththem，fortheycameeagerlytothebigfly，anddidnotmissit，astheyhadmissedtheRedQuill，orWhitchurchDun，withwhichatfirstI
triedtobeguilethem。One，ofonlytheaverageweight，Ididdragoutoverthelilies；theothersfelloffinmid-journey，buttheyneverbroketheuncompromisingstouttackle。
Withthefirstchillofeveningtheyceasedrising，andIleftthem，notungratefulfortheirverypeculiarmannersandcustoms。
Thechancesarethatthetroutbeyondthebandofweedsneverseeanartificialfly，andtheyare，therefore，themoreguileless——atleast，lateintheseason。Inspring，Ibelieve，theliliesarelessintheway，andIfearsomeonehasputaBerthonboatonthelochinApril。ButitisnotsomuchwhatonecatchesinLochBeg，asthemonsterswhichonemightcatchthatmakethetarnsodesirable。
Thelochseemstoprovethatanyhill-tarnmightbemadeagoodplaceforsport，iftroutwereintroducedwheretheydonotexistalready。ButthesizeoftheseinLochBegpuzzlesme，norcanoneseehowtheybreed，asbreedtheydo:fortwiceorthriceIcaughtafingerling，andthrewhiminagain。Noburnrunsoutoftheloch，and，eveninaflood，thefeederissosmall，anditscoursesoextremelysteep，thatonecannotimaginewherethefishmanagetospawn。Theonlylochknowntomewherethecommontroutareofequalsize，isontheBorder。Itisextremelydeep，withveryclearwater，andwithscarceanyspawningground。Onasummereveningthetroutareoccasionallycaught；threeweighingsevenpoundsweretakenonenight，ayearortwoago。Ihavenottriedtheeveningfishing，butatallothertimesofdayhavefoundthemthe\"dourest\"oftrout，andtheygrowdourer。Butoneisalwaysluredonbythespectacleofthemonsterswhichthrowthemselvesoutofwater，withasplashthatechoesthroughallthecircuitofthelowgreenhills。Theyprobablyreachatleastfourorfivepounds，butitisunlikelythatthebiggesttakethefly，andonemaydoubtwhethertheypropagatetheirspecies，assmalltroutareneverseenthere。
Therearetwowaysofenlargingthesizeoftroutwhichshouldbecarefullyavoided。Pikearesupposedtokeepdownthepopulationandleavemorefoodforthesurvivors，minnowsaresupposedtobenourishingfood。Bothofthesenoveltiesaredangerous。Pikehavebeenintroducedinthatlonglovelysheetofwater，LochKen，andI
haveneveronceseentheriseofatroutbreakthatsurface，so\"hideouslyserene。\"Trout，inlochswhichhavebecomeaccustomedtofeedingonminnows，areapttodisdainflyaltogether。Ofcoursetherearelochsinwhichgoodtroutcoexistwithminnowsandwithpike，buttheseinmatesaretoodangeroustobeintroduced。
Theintroduction，too，ofLochLeventroutisoftendisappointing。
Sometimestheyescapedowntheburnintotheriverinfloods；
sometimes，perhapsforlackofproperfoodandsufficient，theydwindleterriblyinsize，andbecomenobetterthan\"brownies。\"InSt。Mary\'sLoch，inSelkirkshire，someCanadiantroutwereintroduced。Littleornothinghasbeenseenofthem，unlesssomesmallcreaturesofaquarterofapound，extraordinarilysilvery，andmoreoftenintheairthaninthewaterwhenhooked，arethesechildrenoftheremoteWest。Iftheygrewup，andretainedtheirbeautyandsprightliness，theywouldbeexcellentsubstitutesforsea-trout。Almostallexperimentsinstockinglochshavetheirperils，exceptthesimpleexperimentofputtingtroutwheretherewerenotroutbefore。Thiscandonoharm，andtheymayincreaseinweight，letushopenotinwisdom，likethecuriouslyheavyandshyfishmentionedinthebeginningofthispaper。
LOCHLEVEN
Ihadafriendonce，anangler，whoinwinterwasfondofanothersport。HelikedtocasthislouisintothegreenbaizepondatMonteCarlo，and，onthewhole，hewasgenerally\"broken。\"Heseldomlandedthegoldenfishoftheoldman\'sdreaminTheocritus。
Whenthecroupierhadgaffedallhismoneyhewouldrepentandsay，\"Now，thatwouldhavekeptmeatLochLevenforafortnight。\"OneusedtowonderwhetherafortnightofLochLevenwasworthanafternoonofthepleasureoflosingatMonteCarlo。Thelochhasanameforbeingcockneyfied，besetbywholefleetsofcompetitiveanglersfromvariousanglingclubsinScotland。Thatmenshouldcompetitivelyangleshows，indeed，agreatwantoftrueanglingsentiment。Tofishinacrowdisodious，toworkhardforprizesofflasksandcreelsandfly-booksistomistakethetruemeaningofthepastime。However，inthiscrowdedagemenaresoconstitutedthattheyliketoturnacontemplativeexerciseintoakindofBankHoliday。Thereisnouseinarguingwithsuchpersons；theworstoftheirpleasureisthatittendstochangeaScotchlochintosomethinglikethepondoftheWelshHarp，atHendon。ItisalwaysgoodnewstoreadinthepapershowtheDundeeWaltonSocietyhadabadday，andhowthefirstprizewaswonbyMr。Macneesh，withfivetroutweighingthreepoundsandthreequarters。LochLeven，then，iscrowdedandcockneyfiedbycompetitions；ithasalsonogreatnameforbeautyoflandscape。
Everyonetohisowntasteinnaturalbeauty，butinthisrespectI
thinkLochLevenisbetterthanitsreputation。Itiscertainlymorepictorial，sotospeak，thansomeremotemoorlochsupnearCapeWrath；Forsinardinparticular，wherethescenerylookslikeonegiganticseriesofbrown\"baps，\"flatScotchscones，alloflowelevation，allpreciselysimilartoeachother。
LochLevenisnotsuchacockneyplaceasthemajorityofmenwhohavenotvisiteditimagine。ItreallyislargerthantheWelshHarpatHendon，andthescenery，thoughnotlikethatofBenCruachanorBenMohr，excelsthelandscapeofMiddlesex。Atthenorthernendisasmalltown，grey，withsomeredroofsandoneortwocharacteristicFifeshirechurch-towers，squatandstrong。
Therearealsoafewfactorychimneys，whicharenotfairtooutwardview，norappropriatebyaloch-side。Onthewestarerangesofdistanthills，lowbutnotuncomely。Ontheeastrisesabeautifulmoorlandsteepwithbrokenandgracefuloutlines。Whenthesunshinesontheredtilledland，inspring；whenthesmokeofburninggorsecoilsupalldaylongintothesky，asiftheGreatSpiritweretakinghispipeofpeaceonthemountains；whentheislandsaremirroredontheglassywater，thentheartistrejoices，thoughtheanglerknowsthathewillwastehisday。Asfarasfishinggoes，heisboundtobe\"clean，\"astheboatmensay——tocatchnothing；butthesolemnpeace，andthewallsandruinedtowersofQueenMary\'sprison，maypartiallyconsolethefisher。
Theaccommodationisagreeable，thereisapleasantinn——anoldtown-house，perhaps，ofsomegreatfamily，whenthegreatfamiliesdidnotrushuptoLondon，butspenttheirwintersinsuchcountrytownsasDumfriesandSt。Andrews。Theinnhasagreatgreengardenatitsdoors，andifthetalkismainlyoffishing，andifeveryonetellsofhismonstertroutthatescapedthenet，thereismuchworseconversationthanthat。
WhenyoureachKinross，and，afterexcellenthamandeggs，begintomakeastart，thecockneyelementismostvisibleatthefirst。
Everybody\'snameisregisteredinabook；eachpaysaconsiderable，butnotexorbitant，feeforthesociety——oftenwellworththemoney——andtheassistanceofboatmen。Thesegentlemenarealsowellprovidedwithluncheonandbeer，and，onthewhole，thereismorepleasureinthelifeofaLochLevenboatmanthaninmostarts，crafts，orprofessions。Hetakestherodwhenhispatronislazy；itissaidthatheoftencatchesthetrout；{1}heseesagooddealofgoodcompany，and，ifhisbasketbeheavy，whosocontentashe？Thefirstthingistorowouttoagoodbay，andwhichwillproveagoodbaydependsonthestrengthanddirectionofthewind。Perhapsthebestfishingisfarthestoff，attheendofalongrow，butthebestsceneryisnotsodistant。Agooddealhangsonanearlystartwhentherearemanyboatsout。
LochLevenisarathershallowloch，seldommuchoverfifteenfeetdeep，savewherealongnarrowrentorgeologicalflawrunsthroughthebottom。Thewaterisofaqueerglaucousgreen，olive-
coloured，orratherlikethetintmadewhenyouwashoutaboxofwater-colourpaints。ThisisnotsoprettyastheblackwaveofLochAweorLochShin，buthasaredeemingqualityintherichnessofthefeedingfortrout。Thesearefabledtoaverageaboutapound，butareprobablyatrifleunderthatweight，onthewhole。
Theyarefamous，and，accordingtoSirWalterScott，werefamousaslongagoasinQueenMary\'stime，forthebrightsilveroftheirsides，fortheirpinkflesh，andgamenesswhenhooked。Theoristshaveexplainedallthisbysayingthattheyarethedescendantsofland-lockedsalmon。ThefliesusedonthelocharesmallerthanthosefavouredintheHighlands；theyaresoldattachedtocasts，andfourfliesareactuallyemployedatonce。Probablytwoarequiteenoughatatime。Ifaveterantroutisattractedbyseeingfourflies，allofdifferentspecies，andtheselikenothinginnature，allconspiringtodescendonhimatonce，hemustbelesscautiousthanwegenerallyfindhim。TheHampshireangler，ofcourse，willsneeratthewholeproceeding，the\"chuckingandchancingit，\"inthequeer-colouredwave，andtheuseofsomanyfancifulentomologicalspecimens。ButtheHampshireanglerisverywelcometotryhisarts，inacalm，andhisnatural-lookingcocked-
upflies。HewillprobablybedefeatedbyagrocerfromGreenock，sinkinghisfourfliesverydeep，asis，bysomeexperts，recommended。Thetroutarecapricious，perhapsascapriciousasanyknowntotheangler，buttheyarebelievedtopreferastrongeastwindandadarkday。Theeastwindisnowhere，perhaps，sobadaspeoplefancy；itiscertainlynotsobadasthenorthwind，andonLochLevenitisthefavourite。Themanwhoisluckyenoughtohitontherightday，andtolandacoupleofdozenLochLeventrout，hasverygoodreasontocongratulatehimself，andneedenvynobody。Butsuchdaysandsuchtakesarerare，andthesummerof1890wasmuchmoreunfortunatethanthatof1889。
OnegreatmistakeismadebythecompanywhichfarmstheLoch，stocksit，suppliestheboats，andregulatesthefishing。Theypermittrollingwithangels，orphantoms，orthenaturalminnow。
Now，trollingmaybecomparativelylegitimate，whentheboatisbeingpulledagainstthewindtoitsdrift，butthereisnomoreskillinitthaninsittinginanomnibus。Butfortrolling，manyaboatwouldcomehome\"clean\"intheevening，ondaysofcalm，orwhen，forotherreasonsoftheirown，thetroutrefusetotaketheartificialfly。YettherearemenatLochLevenwhotrollallday，andpoorsportitmustbe，asatroutofapoundorsohasnochanceonatrolling-rod。Thismethodisinimicaltofly-fishing，butissuchaconsolationtotheinefficientanglerthatonecanhardlyexpecttoseeitabolished。Theunsuccessfulclamourfortrolling，insteadofconsolingthemselves，assportsmenshoulddo，withtheconversationofthegillies，theiranecdotesofgreattrout，andtheirreminiscencesofgreatanglers，especiallyofthelateMr。Russell，thefamededitorofthe\"Scotsman。\"Thishumouristisgradually\"winninghiswaytothemythical。\"Allfishingstoriesareattachedtohim；hiseloquenceissaidinthelanguageofthehistorianoftheBuccaneerstohavebeen\"florid\"；
heisreportedtohavethrownhisfly-bookintoLochLevenonanunluckyday，saying，\"Youbrutes，takeyourchoice，\"andarock，whichheoncehookedandheldonto，isnamedafterhim，ontheTweed。Inadditiontothehumaneandvariedconversationoftheboatmen，thereisalwaysthepurepleasureofsimplygazingatthehillsidesandattheislands。TheyareasmuchassociatedwiththememoryofMaryStuartasHermitageorevenHolyrood。Onthatislandwasherprison；heretherudeMortontriedtobullyherintosigningawayherrights；henceshemayoftenhavewatchedtheshoreatnightforthelightingofabeacon，asignthatarescuewasathand。
Thehills，atleast，aremuchasshemayhaveseenthem，andthesquaretowersandcrumblingwallsontheislandmethereyeswhentheywerealltoostrong。The\"quay\"isnolonger\"rude，\"aswhen\"TheAbbot\"waswritten，andiscrowdedwiththegreenboatsoftheLochLevenCompany。Butyoustilllandonherislandunder\"thehugeoldtree\"whichScottsaw，whichtheunhappyMarymayherselfhaveseen。Thesmallgardenandthestatuesaregone，thegardenwhenceRolandGraemeledMarytotheboatandtobrieflibertyandhopeunfulfilled。Onlyakindofground-planremainsofthehallswhereLindesayandRuthvenbrowbeatherforlornMajesty。ButyoumayclimbthestaircasewhereRolandGraemestoodsentinel，andfeelatouch，ofwhatPepysfeltwhenhekissedadeadQueen——
KatherineofValois。LikeRolandGraeme，theQueenmayhavebeen\"weariedtodeathofthisCastleofLochLeven，\"where，inspring，allseemssobeautiful，thetreesbuddingfreshlyabovetheyellowcelandineandamongthegreyprisonwalls。ItwasakindlierprisonhousethanFotheringay，andmindspeacefulandcontentedwouldgladlyhavetaken\"thisforahermitage。\"
TheRomanEmperorsusedtobanishtoopowerfulsubjectstothelovelyislesthatlielikeliliesontheAEgean。Plutarchtriedtoconsoletheseexiles，byshowingthemhowfortunatetheywere，farfromthebustleoftheForum，thevices，thetortures，thenoiseandsmokeofRome，happy，iftheychose，intheirgardens，withthebluewatersbreakingontherocks，and，asheiscarefultoadd，WITHPLENTYOFFISHING。Mr。Mahaffycallsthis\"rhetoricalconsolation，\"andtheexilesmayhavebeenofhismind。ButtheexileswouldhavebeenwisetolistentoPlutarch，and，hadI
enjoyedtheluckofMaryStuart，whenLochLevenwasnotoverfished，whenthetroutwereuneducated，neverwouldIhaveplungedintopoliticsagain。Shemighthavebeenveryhappy，withRonsard\'slatestpoems，withItalianromances，withaboatontheloch，andsomeRizziotosingtoheronthestillsummerdays。
FromherCastleshewouldhearhowthepoliticiansweresquabbling，lying，raisingamantodivinityandstoninghimnextday，cuttingeachother\'sheadsoff，swearingandforswearingthemselves，conspiringandcaballing。Suavemari，andthepeaceofLochLevenandtheislandhermitagewouldhavebeenthesweeterforthedinoutside。Awoman，aQueen，aStuart，couldnotattain，andperhapsoughtnottohaveattained，thisepicureanism。MaryStuarthadherchance，andmissedit；perhaps，afterall，hershrewishfemalegaolermadethepassionlesslifeimpossible。
These，atLochLeven，arenaturalreflections。Theplacehasacharmofitsown，especiallyifyoumakeupyourmindnottobedisappointed，nottotroll，andnottoenvythemorefortunateanglerswhoshouttoyouthenumberoftheirvictoriesacrossthewave。EvenatLochLevenwemaybecontemplative，maybequiet，andgoa-fishing。{2}
THEBLOODYDOCTOR
ABADDAYONCLEARBURN
Thouaskestme，mybrother，howfirstandwhereImettheBloodyDoctor？Thetaleisweird，soweirdthattoasoullessprovedthanthineIscarcedarespeakoftheadventure。
This，perhaps，wouldbetherightwayofbeginningastorynotthatitisastoryexactly，withthetitleforcedonmebythenameandnatureofthehero。ButIdonotthinkIcouldkeepupthestylewithoutalady-collaborator；besides，Ihaveusedtheterm\"weird\"twicealready，andthusplayedawaythetrumpsofmodernpicturesquediction。ToreturntoourDoctor:manyabaddayhaveIhadonClearburnLoch，andneveragoodone。ButonethingdrawsmealwaystothelochwhenIhavethelucktobewithintwentymilesofit。TherearetroutinClearburn!TheBorderanglerknowsthatthetroutinhisnativewatersisnearlyasextinctasthedodo。Manycauseshavecombinedtoextirpatetheshyandspiritedfish。First，therearetoomanyanglers:
TwixtHolyLeeandClovenfords，Atentierbityecannahae，sangthatgoodoldangler，nowwithGod，Mr。ThomasTodStoddart。
ButbetweenHolyLeeandClovenfordsyoumayseehalfadozenrodsoneverypoolandstream。Theregoesthatleviathan，theanglerfromLondon，whohasbeenbeguiledhitherbytheartless\"Guide\"ofMr。WatsonLyall。Therefishesthefarmer\'slad，andtheschoolmaster，andthewanderingweaveroutofworkordisinclinedtowork。Inhisrags，withhisthinfaceandred\"goatee\"beard，withhishazelwandandhishome-madereel，thereiswithalsomethingkindlyaboutthispoorfellow，thistruesportsman。Helovesbettertohearthelarksingthanthemousecheep；hewandersfromdepopulatedstreamtodepopulatedburn，andallisfishthatcomestohisfly。Fingerlingshekeeps，anddoesnotreturntothewater\"aspityingtheiryouth。\"Letusnotgrudgehimhissportaslongashefishesfair，andheisalwaysgoodcompany。Buthe，withalltheothercountlessfishermen，makefishsorareandsowarythat，exceptafterafloodinMeggatortheDouglasburn，troutarescarcetobetakenbyordinaryskill。AsforThaereivingcheilsFraeGalashiels，whousenets，andsalmonroe，andpoisons，anddynamite，theyaremiscreantsindeed；theyspoilthesport，notoftherich，butoftheirownclass，andofeverymanwhowouldbequiet，andgoanglinginthesacredstreamsofChristopherNorthandtheShepherd。Themills，withtheirdyesanddirt，arealsoresponsibleforthedearthoftrout。
Untaintedyetthystream，fairTeviot，runs，Leydensang；butnowthestreamisverymuchtaintedindeedbelowHawick，likeTweedintoomanyplaces。Thus，foradozenreasons，troutarenighasrareasreddeer。Clearburnaloneremainsfullofunsophisticatedfishes，andIhavethelesshesitationinrevealingthis，becauseIdonotexpectthewandererwhomayreadthispagetobeatallmoresuccessfulthanmyself。Nodoubttheyaresometimestobehad，bythebasketful，butnotoften，norbyhimwhothinkstwicebeforeriskinghislifebysmotheringinapeatybottom。
ToreachClearburnLoch，ifyoustartfromtheTeviot，youmustpassthroughmuchofScott\'scountryandmostofLeyden\'s。IamcrediblyinformedthatpersonsofculturehaveforgottenJohnLeyden。Hewasalinguistandapoet，andthefriendofWalterScott，andknewThemindwhosefearlessfranknessnaughtcouldmove，Thefriendship，likeanelderbrother\'slove。
WerememberwhatdistantandwhatdeadlyshorehasLeyden\'scoldremains，andpeoplewhodonotknowmaynotcaretobereminded。
LeavingTeviot，withLeydenforaguide，youwalk，ordrive，WhereBorthahoarse，thatloadsthemeadswithsand，Rollsherredtide。
Notthatitwasredwhenwepassed，butelectropurior。
Throughslatyhillswhosesidesareshaggedwiththorn，Wheresprings，inscatteredtufts，thedarkgreencorn，Towerswood-girtHardenfarabovethevale。
Andverydarkgreen，almostblue，wasthecorninSeptember，1888。
Upwards，alwaysupwards，goestheroadtillyoureachthecrest，andwatchfarbelowthewidechampaign，likeasea，brokenbytheshapesofhills，WindburgandEildon，andPriesthaughswire，and\"theroughskirtsofstormyRuberslaw，\"andPenchrise，andthetwinMaidens，shapedlikethebreastsofHelen。Itisanoldland，ofwar，ofOtterburn，andAncrum，andtheRaidoftheFairDodhead；