34 THE SALMON 



on the slabs of the fishmonger's shop, or on the table, 

 only. There is such an appearance of ' power ' in the 

 small head, broad shoulders and wedge-like shape — 

 such a glamour in the bright silvery sides — such grada- 

 tions in the shading — altogether such a fascination 

 about the glittering prize, that no minor triumph will 

 satisfy the inward longing ; and the wanderer is driven 

 forth, like Io by her gadfly, to go, if needs be, to the 

 uttermost parts of the earth to satisfy his ambition. 

 And the salmon really sometimes seems to enter into 

 the spirit of the thing. His prowess is so well known, 

 his strength so great, his cunning so matchless, that 

 he can well afford to yield for once to the awkward 

 blandishments of the tiro. Has he not been known 

 to tire the arms and defeat the skill of a Lovat, a 

 Denison or a Bromley Davenport. His moderation 

 cannot be mistaken for weakness ; if for once he yields 

 to a Briggs or a , he 



Strikes down the lusty and approved knight. 

 And lets the younger and unskilled go by, 

 To win his honour and to make his name. 



The eventful day has come and the neophyte is at 

 last, breathless with excitement, duly equipped with 

 waders and a long rod, standing by the side of a real 

 salmon - river, in charge of a trustworthy nurse who 

 selects -the right fly for the day and tells him to ' east 



