250 A YEAR OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



cast a salmon came gallantly at me, previous disappointment was 

 forgotten, and, in my eyes, Bryan was the greatest of modern 

 discoverers. 

 I think it is Byron who says : 



I care not for new pleasures 

 So that the old but hold. 



This song has probably been chanted by every son of Adam, and 

 I could not but take up the burden. Here was the last day of 

 September ; yet the thrill of delight, as the line tightened under my 

 fingers, was as new and fresh as when the first fish of the season 

 was hooked eight months before in "the scholar's throw" at 

 Lismore. As the brave creature flew round the pool and then 

 dashed down the stream, I felt, whilst steering him clear of 

 difficulties, that no new pleasure could equal the zest of the old. 

 My servant, seeing that his last work of art was likely to command 

 public attention, immediately commenced another, and, giving the 

 gaff to Bryan, hastened on with his work. After a sharp burst 

 our prize turned to bay, and, for a while, fought with stubborn 

 determination. At length, in an evil moment, the poor fellow 

 exposed his side to the action of the stream. Taking advantage of 

 his error I rolled my man over, ran him down the stream, edging the 

 unfortunate nearer and nearer to the shore. The smith's practised 

 eye saw the end was near, and, dashing before me, stepped lightly 

 on a slippery and projecting point, and in a manner worthy his fame, 

 gave the coup de grace to a thirteen-pound salmon, on whose side 

 the slightest tinge of copper was apparent. Once more hopefully 

 this time we stood at the head of the pool, and were again 

 successful ; and before we left it, two grilse and a fine trout were 

 added to the bag, attesting the goodness of the river, the excellence 

 of the "queer article," and the advantages of perseverance. 



Netting had ceased for some weeks, and a large supply had 

 accumulated in the river. There was, therefore, on a day so 

 favourable, no lack of sport, and our affairs prospered till after two 

 o'clock, when a sudden and unexpected fall in all descriptions of 



