72 TRAVELS IN THE EIGHTIES. 



Again and again the same thing was repeated, till 

 five splendid trout of 7 Ib. each and one of 5 Ib. lay on 

 the boards, caught so quickly in succession that the 

 first was not yet dead. After this there came a pause, 

 and, as there seemed no more fish inclined to take and 

 be taken, except an occasional grayling, the line was 

 wound up, and our first rapid was shot quite a short 

 one, but steep, while the sensation was both novel and 

 exhilarating. Half-way down a wave broke on Olaf's 

 back, and he groaned aloud under the chilling douche, 

 but next moment the boat was floating peacefully in a 

 large pool, and we had overcome our first obstacle. 



After a rest the spoon was trailed to and fro across 

 the current as we descended, till the little farm of 

 Strom horn was reached, where two of the largest fish 

 were boiled and one fried, which, after satisfying Olaf 

 and myself, left enough for the farmer's family for 

 several days. Such large fish had rarely been seen by 

 these natives, who seldom use anything excepting 

 small-meshed nets, and very good eating they were 

 crisp and red like salmon, while Olaf was never tired 

 of explaining the method of their capture. Then we 

 floated down the river to Slagnas, where the good 

 people put us up comfortably for the night. 



This portion also of the river proved to be a splendid 

 fishing ground, where I spent a couple of hours that 

 evening, till Olaf got so worried with the gnats, being 

 unable to row and wipe them off at the same time, 

 that, as- it was getting late, I mercifully left off. 

 Close by the farm lies a long stretch of still water 



