52 TOM AND THE SALMON, 



with some scientific piscatory friend, who would 

 devote his attention to the matter. By the way, 

 the tide leaves its highest mark just above this 

 spot; and our fishing commences here, extending 

 upwards far beyond Llanrwst. The largest fish 

 I ever heard of being hooked in this river (for, as 

 the sequel of the story shows, that was all), was 

 about this very place. The glorious yet sad tale 

 was told me by the principal actor, a great ally 

 of mine, who is a most excellent fisherman, and 

 an honest labourer, on whose word I have perfect 

 reliance. As well as I can remember, it was 

 about five years ago, that just round the first point 

 of the land on this side the river, Tom was fish- 

 ing one afternoon, and his reel getting loose, 

 owing to the dryness of the string by which it 

 was bound to the rod (for he was poor and needy), 

 he dipped it, rod and all, into the water, to 

 increase its tension by moisture ; and during the 

 operation, a little below him, up came at his fly 

 a monster of a salmon ! A complete leviathan ! 

 and to his (not the salmon's) great joy, Tom 

 found his hook fast in him. Away flew the fish, 

 Qut whirred the line, and off" started Tom after 

 them. Both fought with desperation ; one for 

 life and liberty, the other for death and glory. 

 Long, too, they wrestled. At last, '' Sir Salmo" 

 needed breath, and turned to sulking — such 

 sulking as Tom had never before, in all his expe- 



