56 A YEAR OF LIBERTY ; OB, 



and Lough Mask, it is but a baby even as Gulliver amongst the 

 Brobdignags. Nevertheless I wished it no larger this morning. 



The plan proposed was to pull in and out along the east and north 

 shores, and " do" the island on our way back. Now this aiTange- 

 ment had one or two advantages first, we should go over all the 

 best salmon lodges, and by keeping well on their outer edges were as 

 likely as elsewhere to find Splendidus at home ; and next, by dodging 

 off the Fermanagh side, our baits would be trailed over all the ground 

 which promised best. 



Near the Point we soon had a run. The fish felt heavy on the rod, 

 but, after two or three weighty lunges, broke away. Of course, it 

 was my fault ; it always is the angler's fault in the eyes of his 

 zealous attendant. " Fortune had deserted us that day for good and 

 all." "Not a taste of luck should we have ; not the least in life 

 and him the first!" 



The prophecy proved false, as abreast of ''the rushes," rather 

 outside the cast, we had a second run, and landed a fine stout trout 

 of 6lb. This was quick work, and promised well for our last day. 

 The blind goddess, however, deserted us for the time, leaving us to 

 prove by perseverance that we deserved her favours. In the middle 

 of the lake, when the sun was far in the west, we again got a run. 

 This time Willie laid his pipe carefully between the knees of the 

 boat, as if he thought it might be some time before he wanted it again. 



In pure love and charity we had shipped a new hand, who expressed 

 himself *'kilt entirely " by setting potatoes. Nobody wanted him ; 

 but I was unwilling to refuse the poor fellow a day's amusement. 

 He was the queerest, most tattered, and most impulsive party ever 

 seen. Watching the fish like a hawk himself nearly as wild he 

 sprang on the beam just in time to catch a glimpse of Splendidus, as 

 he reeled over on the surface at least fifty yards off, in a very 

 Intoxicated manner. 



'' Holy Mary ! what a baste. Hand us the gaff quick there I 

 Is it deaf that ye are ?" 



With freezing dignity, without moving a muscle, the gentleman 

 thus addressed made answdr i 



