20 



without wetting a fly than have it othci-wise. So off we 

 went, over the soddened boggy hind, from which hut a few 

 liours before the flood had subsided, and it was lieavy going- 

 I do assure you. The first two miles of Avater was all fish- 

 able and fish it we did, without moving- a fin ; then we 

 changed our flies, nK)])ped (nirselves, and admired each 

 other's bog-besmeared legs — truth to tell, we honoured the 

 toast of " Health to men and death to fishes.'' Then we 

 went at it again, and floundered on, flogging- the water with 

 redoubled energy, and spiritually inspired anticipations ! 

 Another mile was thus passed, when a famous " carry " was 

 reached, my friend assuring me that if we failed to score 'in 

 this pool the prospects of a blank day were very much 

 against us. But we did score — as I had good reason 

 to repent hereafter — a twelve pounder accepted my line 

 of invitation to lunch, without a moment's hesitation. 

 He made a poor fight of it, as I was somewhat hard on 

 him ; being anxious not to disturb the lower end of 

 the pool. Having- grassed our first salmon, we lit our 

 pipes, and wrangled as to Avhether I should fish the re- 

 mainder of the pool, and let my host follow me, or 

 whether he should first go over the water, as yet undis- 

 turbed. My host was about the most obstinate of his 

 counti'3'men that I ever met, and as he was moreover 

 deaf to every argument, I went over the water first, in order 

 to gratify his Quixotic courtesy towards a guest. Having 

 fished it about as carelessly and badly as possible, I took a 

 seat, relit my pipe, and waited my friend's arrival. He 

 literally searched every inch of the water, and excited my 

 admiration by the patient manner in which he tried every 

 eddy, swirl, and resting- place Avherein an ui)ward bound 

 fish might halt to take breath. From my elevated position 

 the flies Avere easily watched as they danced Avith life-like 

 motion, and Avhen the angler was en the point of lifting 

 them a splendid fish rose and seized the dropper. There was 

 a grand fight, but the result Avas — bar accidents — ncA'er in 

 doubt, and in a short quarter of an hour a Avell-fed, but 

 someAvhat red, scA'enteen pounder receiA'ed his quietus by 

 being- ignominiously thumped on the head with a lump of 



