440 1kin05 of tbe 1Rot>, IRifle, an& Gun 



stones from the channel, and threw them one by one 

 between the fish and the said opposite bank. This 

 naturally brought Master Salmo somewhat nearer ; but 

 still for a few moments we had a doubtful struggle for it. 

 At length, by lowering the head of the rod, and thus not 

 having so much of the ponderous weight of the fish 

 to encounter, I towed him a little sideways ; and so 

 advancing towards me with propitious fin, he shot 

 through the arch nearest to me. 



Deeply immersed, I dashed after him as best I might ; 

 and arriving on the other side of the bridge I floundered 

 out upon dry land, and continued the chase. The 

 salmon ' right orgillous and presumptive,' still kept the 

 strength of the stream, and abating nothing of his vigour, 

 went swiftly down the Whirls ; then through the Boat 

 shiel, and over the shallows, till he came to the throat of 

 the Elm-wheel, down which he darted amain. Owing to 

 the bad ground, the pace here became exceedingly dis- 

 tressing. I contrived however to keep company with 

 my fish, still doubtful of the result, till I came to the 

 bottom of the long cast in question, when he still showed 

 fight, and sought the shallows below. Unhappily the 

 alders prevented my following by land, and I was 

 compelled to take water again, which slackened my 

 speed. But the stream soon expanding, the current 

 diminishing, my fish likewise travelled more slowly ; so 

 I gave a few sobs and recovered my wind a little, 

 gathered up my line, and tried to bring him to terms. 

 But he derided my efforts, and dashed off for another 

 burst triumphant. Not far below lay the rapids of the 

 Slaughter ford : he would soon gain them at the pace 



