IN THE HIGHLANDS 107 



sea, and it was the rope from it to the shore that we 

 were all hauling at like demons — not nearly such tame 

 ones as old Iain would have liked. The smaller people 

 were set to throw white dornagan (fist-sized round stones) 

 along the line of the hauled rope to prevent fish swimming 

 away from the net as it kept closing in. Both ends of 

 the net are now ashore, but much caution is needed yet, 

 lest it be raised above the ground ere all is high and 

 dry; for Mr. Salmon has a good eye, and would instantly 

 dart out to sea through the gap ! 



" Hurrah ! they are all safe. There is the leader 

 springing in the air, just to see what all this contracting 

 of their sea means. Alas ! very soon he is capering 

 on the rock with all his friends, while many of his young 

 admirers are busy as bees with their shillelaghs, made 

 for the purpose of administering vigorous head-whacking 

 opiates to ensure the peace. At one such haul I once 

 saw over three hundred salmon, grilse, and trout, from 

 2 or 3 pounds up to 25 pounds, brought ashore. Usually 

 two or three hauls of the net landed as many as our 

 father cared to take home, for all but the few needed 

 for home use were that evening allocated for tenants or 

 poor people. It takes more planning than folks would 

 imagine, first to settle where each fish is to go, and then 

 who is to take it. 



" By the time the net was hung up in the boat house 

 roof, sledges were up at Tigh Dige with the fish, which 

 were always laid out on the grass in front of the house, 

 that the dear mother might admire the really beautiful 

 sight, and with paper and pencil, supported by her 

 devotee and housekeeper, Kate Archy, plan the fishy 



