98 A YEAR OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



and as the spirit comes from his private still, we may be sure the 

 author of "The Salmon" has provided "the material" in full 

 quantity and quality to wash down his fish. 



If there be one thing I hate more than another, it is argument. 

 It may make enemies, but never yet cemented friendship ; and as for 

 conviction, who ever was convinced by it ? The rule is, argue with 

 a doubter, and you make him an infidel ; bother a man who has no 

 opinions, and you make him as obstinate as a mule. Oh, I hate 

 arguing! and if anyone said, '"Pray allow me to convince you that 

 the moon is composed of green cheese," I believe I should make him 

 a bow, with " Sir, I am entirely of your opinion." 



With a sigh of relief the pen was here laid aside. I was on the 

 point of meditating a pipe, so of course felt better. Through the 

 window came a pleasant air, rustling the white dimity curtains. 

 Outside the door, too, there was a whispering, but not of the summer 

 air. With a light knock, Willie entered. " There's a nice breeze 

 a-just springing up," he said, " and a light bar of clouds to the 

 windward ; maybe, master, it would do you good to see them, and 

 Michael has a prime basket of drakes." Fully calculating that the 

 invalid was hors de combat, he had doubtless intended to enjoy 

 the day in a private piscatorial manner ; but the unexpected 

 rising of the wind and clouds brought the faithful fellow back to 

 see if his master could be tempted. 



Vexation on the score of Dereveragh was nearly over so was 

 the argument so was the headache ; and by the time we reached 

 the shore the vapours grew lighter and lighter, and so faded away 

 out of sight. 



Till after midday the lake had been impracticable, and now this 

 marked and unlooked-for change evidently made the fish in a most 

 obliging frame of mind. They received, as it were, an unexpected 

 windfall, and seemed disposed to make the most of it. Near our 

 end of the lake three boats were drifting, into two of which trout 

 were lifted as we approached, whilst the third appeared more heavily 

 engaged with the enemy. We had been watching this one perhaps 

 for twenty minutes, and -ten more elapsed before we came within 



