274 A YEAR OF LIBERTY ; OR, 



as salmon love. Had there been but one in the lodge he could 

 hardly have helped rising, and to-day few rises were likely to be 

 made in vain ; that break so sharp looks like business. In such a 

 place no fish could have a chance ; there was no need to give line ; 

 from first to last a heavy exhausting strain was on him ; nothing 

 could stand it long. Sharp eyes were on the watch; the gaff was 

 always ready ; the next turn, '' Well done, Willie ; not bad for 

 number two." 



Besting the water for a few minutes, and changing both drop and 

 trail, we tried it over again, and were so unfortunate as to play and 

 lose a fish at each attempt. 



This round pool is the place where, many a day ago, during my 

 first visit, I landed five salmon. It was my opening season, and 

 success had been small. Once only in that happy time three fish 

 had fallen to my rod. Imagine, then, the pride with which I saw 

 Jive ranged side by side. My wildest imaginations were surpassed, 

 and henceforth nothing seemed impossible. " Dan, my poor dead 

 friend, there is not a drop wherewith to toast your memory, so I will 

 e'en sit on this tuft of blooming ling, smoke a meditative pipe, and 

 watch another hand fish your favourite lodge." The daydream was 

 a long one, for when my honest companion woke me up with the 

 inquiry, ''Will we go on now, master? I've put four flies over it," 

 the weight of the creel was increased by the addition of one salmon 

 and two white trout. 



The Orotty is smaller than the Inver, but remains longer in order, 

 owing to the size of its lakes ; and during the Lammas floods I know 

 no prettier or more hopeful river on which to while away that 

 magical time. In the north, the flax destroys all autumnal fishing, 

 generally finding its way into the streams in spite of the water- 

 bailiffs during the first week of August; but here, happily, the 

 obnoxious plant does not thrive, and the unpoUuted Claddy is as 

 lively and sweet in August and September as * most other rivers 

 are in June and July. If the truth must be told, 'this station 

 is a great favourite with us, not only because it attains its best 

 condition when most other waters are useless, but also for the rare 



