FAREWELL FEAST OF ANGLING CLUB. 219 



extinct, and I dragged him exultingly to the water- 

 edge, there to quaff off to his memory the remainder 

 of my flask, and devise in what manner to bear home- 

 wards, through moor and darkness, a trophy so magni- 

 ficent. 



My first idea was to conceal the fish in some hollow 

 or other, and endeavour to thread my way towards the 

 inn, which lay several miles off in the neighbourhood 

 of Loch Eaunoch, whence, on the day following, I 

 should set out to fetch him, having procured proper 

 assistance. I regret, indeed, that this plan was not 

 pursued, as, had it been, I should probably have 

 escaped the mortification I was destined to suffer, in 

 being obligated to relinquish so noble a prize. Un- 

 willing, however, to proceed without him, I took it 

 into my head, as a good expedient, that I might 

 readily, by means of my tackle, which remained as yet 

 unextricated from his gorge, float the fish forward 

 down the Gawin and through Loch Aich to within a 

 few yards of where I intended to quarter for the night. 



Accordingly, I commenced the attempt, but had 

 scarcely proceeded above two hundred paces, when my 

 attention was directed to the plunge of a large animal 

 immediately below me, and before I could drag in my 

 captive out of harm's way, he was in the grasp of a 

 powerful otter ! In vain, gentlemen, did I shout ; in 

 vain rush forward into the stream; tackle and fish 

 both had disappeared in a twinkling ; the rascal had 

 carried all away with him. To say more, would be 



