THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 281 



the water, and the comparatively placid 

 stream before me, gave rise to sensations 

 I shall not easily forget. 



This beautiful sheet of water the major 

 had named the hospital, from the circum- 

 stance of the salmon reposing in this still 

 pool, after the fatigue of ascending the 

 river. Here the fish recruited their 

 strength to enable them to proceed up 

 the numerous cascades with which the 

 water abounds. 



Here our first trial of skill commenced ; 

 our gallant leader was the first in the 

 field, and at the second cast hooked a 

 fine fish. The salmon, after divers leaps 

 and struggles to disengage himself, took 

 our master in tow and went down the 

 stream at a racing pace, which kept the 

 major at a brisk trot for a considerable 

 distance. Our commander-in-chief was 

 not to be shaken off, and, fearing his prey 

 might give him some trouble if allowed 



