CARRON, ROSS-SHIRE. 145 



one I have just lost. See how he posts across the 

 pool ! But what ! are you similarly occupied witli 

 another of the retinue ? 



Leister. I am, Tom ; and 'tis a gallant fin. Who 

 shall conquer first ? 



Otter. My rod is a degree too slender, and I cannot 

 deal as is meet with this fellow. It bends almost to 

 my wrist, and is in clanger of giving way immediately 

 should he make any violent efforts to escape. But he 

 is too heavy to throw himself out of the water with 

 readiness, and seems inclined to steer deep rather than 

 vault and gambol on the surface. I shall find it 

 difficult to fatigue him, as I dare not trust to this 

 switch of mine, and his leisurely saunterings up and 

 down the pool are no small proof of inherent strength. 

 That fish of yours seems in a fair way of subduing 

 himself by over exertion. 



Leister. He is an active fellow, and, were not my 

 wand a double-handed one, might manage to give me 

 the slip ; but I hold him firm, and have no fear of his 

 flinging off. I have already taken much of the devil 

 out of him, and he now begins to show rib and turn 

 up his keel despondingly. But no ! he is out again, 

 marring the reserve of the pool, as if there were fire at 

 his tail. Should I get him into shoal water, I must 

 have the gaff-hook employed instanter and yet with- 

 out assistance, 'tis no easy matter to run it across his 

 flanks. Hilloa ! boy, can I trust you to take the 

 keeping of this rod into your hands a moment, while 



