I70 HIGHLAND SPORT 



ousy ! " and then all four of us crowded round the basket, while 

 the three fish were stretched out on the grass, and now that 

 they had been some time out of water my verdict was quickly 

 confirmed, and for the rest of the homeward journey Onions 

 was so vexed he would hardly speak to me. The gillies got 

 the fish, while Charlie was duly credited in the columns of the 

 Scotsman and the Field as the slayer of three heavy clean 

 salmon. 



The next morning we started once more for the disappoint- 

 ing river, and side by side we strolled up stream. It was my 

 day on the upper water, so when reaching the head of Charlie's 

 beat I said I would wait to watch him fish his top pool. Old 

 Sandy quickly had his master's rod ready, when there came an 

 exclamation of despair from his lips, and approaching Onions, 

 he said, " Indeed, sir, but I've no brought the tackle-bag or your 

 waders." But Charlie only laughed, while as he sent his man 

 off for the forgotten necessaries, he turned to say to me, 

 "What a rage I should have been in if that had happened 

 when there were plenty of fish about ; as it is, it is quite a 

 relief not to have to keep on flogging the water for nothing, 

 for it is the most hopeless river I ever saw ; so now then, Dick, 

 jump into your waders, and set to work while I watch you fish 

 the pool." In return I offered my rig-out to Charlie, but he 

 would have none of it, so I was soon in the water, and had not 

 made a dozen casts before I was fast in a fish. " Another of 

 your kelts," I called out, but no ! this time a real splendid ten 

 pound bar of silver flashed high out of the water, and was soon 

 safely on the bank. I cried to Charlie, " This won't do ; I'm 

 poaching your preserves. Now do take my waders to finish 

 out the pool, then by the time you've done old Sandy will be 

 back," for the cast was a lengthy one. But not a bit of it ; 

 Charlie haughtily bade me go on, and before Sandy returned 

 three other spring salmon were laid on the bank. 



Then the missing gear arrived, while as Sandy learnt 

 the facts there were almost tears in his eyes. We then 



