A HIGHLAND LAIRD 39 



of the water on a system of tactics that changes with 

 the necessities of the case, it is a question when to 

 humour the salmon, when to force him, and when to 

 head him up the stream by dint of firm persuasion. 

 Instinct suggests the most dangerous dodges to him, 

 and he seems to be thoroughly aware how awkwardly 

 his enemy is hampered. " Show him the butt " may 

 be an excellent maxim ; but how are you to do it 

 when you are doubled up among the trees, with the top 

 of the rod rustling against the branches ? He makes 

 a dash straight for the sea, as if he had no idea of 

 stopping till he got there ; and if you are too brusque 

 in your hints that he had better not hurry, it is a 

 sovereign to a shilling that something gives way with 

 you. He is doing everything he knows to test the 

 soundness of your tackle, if he is foiled in that 

 determined rush. He is winding the line about among 

 the stones, grazing it against their sharp edges, or else 

 he is down with his nose in the gravel, grinding at the 

 hook for dear life. Possibly he takes to sulking a 

 sore trial to the temper when he absolutely declines to 

 pay any attention to the stones that are hailed down in 

 his direction. And it is worse still when he will insist 

 upon your following him, although the track along the 

 banks is well-nigh impracticable, even when the scrambler 

 has both hands at his disposal. But the trials and 

 anxieties increase the value of the triumph, when at 

 last he begins to own himself beaten, and when you 

 can see the scales of silver glancing to the light as 

 you guide him gently within reach of the gaff. Not 



