156 A YEAR OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



delayed, we may, whilst on the subject, say a few words about them. 

 In some rivers possessing large head waters these fish attain a 

 considerable size. At Waterville, for example, they are often taken 

 in the cuts in February, weighing 101b. and 111b. ; and at Delphi, I 

 have heard, they are occasionally caught up to the unusual weight 

 of 161b. Nothing so good as this ever came in my way, and the 

 heaviest I have yet killed did not exceed 81b. 



''Jack's Hole," " The Mill Eace," " The Iron Hole," and many 

 another, had all been tried ; there was a delicious uncertainty about 

 every cast, and we fished on with unabated spirit. At last we 

 reached a beautiful lodge the name of which I know not and 

 presently " stuck " in a grilse, which, being fairly hooked, fought 

 valiantly and died like a gentleman. In five minutes more I was 

 fast on another, and at 



The high topgallant of my joy, 



when a small silvery voice struck terror to my heart. 



" Arrah, Willie, do ye call this dacent behaviour, and the mistress 

 all alone wid herself, bating the two kars and the drivers, waiting in 

 the road for an hour ? " Now, mademoiselle was a linguist ; at 

 least she spoke what might be called two languages remarkably 

 pure Saxon and remarkably impure patois ; all of which, as contained 

 in the above oration, was of course designed for me, though 

 addressed to my companion. For once in his life that " hereditary 

 bondsman" lost his habitual fear of petticoat tyranny. 



" Hist, hist, am't ye ashamed ; going on this way and the master 

 so busy? Well no come ^mind I'm telling ye . . . that is, no just 

 at present," as a terrible finger was held up in menace and warning 

 lower sank his courage under that steady glance. " Well, well, 

 we'll be wid ye directly ; " and then, sotto voce, ''The devil fly away 

 wid ye for a scolding jade." 



Retaining a small grilse as provision for the journey, we sent the 

 rest of our take to Mr. Hepburn, the manager, by a sure hand, and 

 bade adieu to the bright and beautiful Arrow. It was the first, 

 but not the last visit, we trust ; for I hope soon to shake that 



