GOOD PROSPECTS OF SPORT. 303 



\vill be found. How, then, you may ask, did this 

 sailor learn so difficult a business in so short a space ? 

 Probably because he had a natural aptness ; or, more 

 likely, being a sailor, he could turn his hands much 

 sooner than persons of any other trade to a business 

 which required coolness and dexterity. 



This fish weighed over eighteen pounds, and was 

 fresh run from the sea, for he had not yet cleansed 

 himself of the sea-lice ; his breadth and depth were 

 enormous in proportion to his length the best proofs 

 of condition. In this capture, from the time the fish 

 was struck till I had him floundering on the bank, full 

 forty minutes elapsed, I having noted time previous to 

 making the first cast at the head of the pool. 



On examining my tackle, I found that it had 

 suffered considerably, particularly the fly, which not 

 only had one of the hackles broken, but also the 

 tinsel ; I therefore stuck it carefully in the crown of 

 my hat, and replaced it with another, intending in the 

 evening, when comfortably seated in our snug cabin, 

 to bring my pliers, scissors, vice, &c., into play, and 

 construct its counterpart, being well satisfied that the 

 combination of colour which in previous exploits had 

 done me good service, was again destined to reap fresh 

 laurels and further establish its reputation. The 

 upper portion of the stream, and the only part I had 

 so far fished, was now well rested ; and while refresh- 

 ing myself preparatory to making a third essay, 

 several noble fish broke water in the immediate 

 vicinity where I had hooked both of my trophies. 

 From what I had already seen, I was convinced that 

 magnificent sport was before me, and that I had at 

 last arrived in the land of plenty of salmon. There 



