THE OTTER. J.75 



the proverb, that * De'il's bairns have de'il's luck!' But what 

 can the matter he among the salmon ? in faith, the pool 

 appears bewitched." 



As he spoke, I remarked the occurrence which the com- 

 mander noticed. The fish, which upon our first arrival had 

 risen merrily at the natural fiies, ceased on a sudden altogether 

 now they rushed confusedly through the water, or threw 

 themselves for yards along the surface. It was not the sullen 

 plunge at an insect, or the vertical spring, when sport, not 

 food, brings the salmon over water ; but it was evident there 

 was some hidden cause of alarm, and we were not long left in 

 doubt. Near the neck of the pool, an otter of the largest size 

 showed himself for a moment, then darting under water, the 

 same commotion ensued again. Before a minute elapsed, 

 Andy Bawn pointed silently to a shoal beneath an overhanging 

 bush, and there was the spoiler, apparently resting himself 

 after his successful exertions, and holding a four-pound white 

 trout in his mouth. Either he noticed us, or had some more fa- 

 vourite haunt to feed in, for he glided into the deep water, 

 and we saw no more of him. 



Although we found out that the otter and ourselves could 

 not manage to fish in company, we ascertained that the pool 

 was abundantly stocked with salmon ; during the period of the 

 greatest alarm, at least a dozen fish were breaking the surface 

 at the same time. 



We reached the cabin after a day of excellent sport ; but 

 every thing on earth has its alloy, and two circumstances 

 appear to cloud the sunshine of the commander's bosom. One 

 is the inexplicable conduct of the priest; the other the re- 

 peated misconduct of Mogh-a-dioul. We have, to be sure, 

 four fine salmon, and a score of good-sized sea-trouts ; but the 

 Colonel swears, that he lost his best fishing until he discarded 

 the priest's flies ; and it is probable, if their defects had been 

 apparent at an earlier period, our baskets would have been con- 

 siderably benefited by the discovery. 



As we ascended the bank before the cabin door, our rival 

 met us. He had left off fishing for some time, and had 

 changed his dress entirely " Come, brush up, or dinner will 

 be spoiled. Colonel, I trust that you and Mogh-a-dioul are on 

 pleasing terms with each other. You stole my bridle, but, no 

 apologies I can ride Crughadore with a hayband. Come, 

 to scale at once, or dinner is not worth a gray groat. 



