178 DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 



which not only beguiled the largest of the trout, but 

 also induced one of the many salmon in the Bridge 

 Pool to take it. A little crowd of us, with gaff and nets, 

 answered his cry for help, but alas ! they were not 

 needed; the line fouled a bush and the fish broke away. 



That night it rained, rained perse veringly; and 

 our breakfast-table was enlivened by the sound 

 of the still enduring storm. Anxiously we all visited 

 the river. It w^as not yet affected. All then scattered 

 to enjoy whatever hope there was of success. 



My sons and I visited the much-praised loch. I 

 rowed the boat while they fished, but though we 

 saw some big fish move they came not to the rods. 

 My companions, however, were highl}^ pleased with 

 the basket of trout they captured and with the improve- 

 ment which they had made in casting. 



While rowing, I had noticed the increase in the 

 volume of the burns, and, as we neared the inn, 

 I heard the roar of water from the chief of the streams 

 wliich joins the Shiel about 200 yards from home. 

 The river was rising; it rose while we watched, and sent 

 us hurrying to our fly books, to prepare for afternoon. 



The catches that day when put together made an 

 imposing show. There were seventy sea-trout and 

 a salmon of eleven pounds. Marcus became keener 

 than ever while viewing the salmon as it hung on a 

 garden-seat between the splendid take of trout ready 

 for the photographer, and talked of not going to bed 

 for fear of a repetition of his dream of catching fish, 

 which had kept him sleeping far too late that morning. 



In the evening the rain came down in torrents, and, 

 after a lengthy wait, it was decided there should be 

 no fishing, so we had more songs until bedtime came. 



Early-risers found the river looking even more 

 fit than on the previous day ; and there was much 

 evidence of impatience while waiting for breakfast 

 and at the meal itself. Some old stagers have learned 

 £0 to control their feeUngs that you can see no differ- 



