RACING ALONG THE RIVEK. 239 



from too great a depletion by our captivating flies, we start- 

 ed to fish our several pools at the time of the forenoon when 

 the salmon seeks the shady side of a rock in the river, and* 

 which had perceptibly fallen during the previous night, so 

 that, from its clearness, we could distinctly see numerous sal- 

 mon lying in pairs beside the rocks. They were very inter- 

 esting to look at, but it was hard to induce a rise. Presently 

 the general, who had been angling at the falls a mile above, 

 was seen approaching, and doing some pretty tall walking, 

 now in the river and then on the shore, following a salmon 

 as best he could, for the fish seemed determined to return to 

 sea. Down they came, passing us, while the perspiration 

 streamed from the general's face, and he was too busy to re- 

 turn our salutations, but he finally brought the fish to gaff. 



In a short time thereafter the doctor was seen coming at 

 the speed of two-forty on his rejoicing way down the river 

 from the falls, led by a large salmon. We soon saw that the 

 salmon was playing the doctor, who, finding that he was los- 

 ing strength, called lustily for help, which was instantly ren- 

 dered, and a twenty-four pound salmon was soon played out 

 and landed. The doctor retired to his tent and was not seen 

 again until the next morning, when he said, " It's heavenly to 

 play a generous salmon, but when he turns the tables and 

 plays you, he's worse than the cholera !" 



It was the banker's turn next, and, thoroughly aroused and 

 divested of his dignity, down he came, skipping over rocks 

 and through brush at a very rapid rate. Down he came to 

 Rattling Run, and brought his fifth salmon to gaff that day, 

 the largest twenty, and the smallest eleven pounds. 



The doctor's serious intent at evoking a reliable theory 

 for the brilliant coruscations near the northern horizon pre- 

 vented him from risking the play of another salmon until he 

 should quite recover from his last encounter. In the mean 

 time, every fresh contest with a salmon increased my respect 

 for the fish ; and I lost so many in proportion to the great 

 number hooked, that I began, when my fly was first taken, 



