WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS 



water they seem to lose condition, and become lean and 

 dark coloured. By the time that they have ascended to 

 within a dozenmiles or so of the source of the river they are 

 scarcely fit to eat. Nevertheless vast numbers are killed by 

 poachers and shepherds in the autumn, even after the legal 

 season is over. I once fell in with a band of Highlanders, 

 who were employed busily in the amusing but illegal pur- 

 suit of spearing salmon by torchlight. And a most exciting 

 and interesting proceeding it was. The night was calm and 

 dark. The steep and broken rocks were illuminated in the 

 most brilliant manner by fifteen or sixteen torches, which 

 were carried by as many active Highlanders, and glanced 

 merrily on the water, throwing the most fantastic light and 

 shade on all around as they moved about. Sometimes one 

 of them would remain motionless for a few moments, as its 

 bearer waited in the expectation that some fish which had 

 been started by his companions would come within reach 

 of his spear, as he stood with it ready poised, and his eager 

 countenance lighted up by his torch as he bent over the 

 water. Thenwouldcome loud shouts and a confused hurry- 

 ing to and fro, as some great fish darted amongst the men, 

 and loud and merry peals of laughter when some unlucky 

 fellow darting at a fish in too deep water,missed his balance, 

 and fell headlong into the pool. Every now and then a sal- 

 mon would be seen hoisted into the air, and quivering on 

 an uplifted spear. The fish, as soon as caught, was carried 

 ashore, where it was knocked on the head and taken charge 

 of bysome man older than the rest, who was deputed to this 

 office. Thirty-seven salmon were killed that night; and I 

 must say that I entered into the fun, unmindful of its not 



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