SALMON FISHING. 307 



diately after they have punctured the skin a small 

 water-blister rises, which smarts as acutely as a burn 

 from the application of nitric acid. 



All the concoctions that I have ever used to repel 

 these pests have, so far, signally failed to give the 

 desired relief; oil of pennyroyal, camphor, hartshorn, 

 &c., &c., are useless, because their power evaporates 

 the moment they are exposed to the atmosphere ; 

 coal-oil and oil of tar retain their virtue a little longer, 

 but they require too frequent applications for one 

 engaged in exciting sport, as well as being filthy and 

 soiling to all you come in contact with, making your 

 approach most objectionable to your companions from 

 the offensiveness of the smell. If some of our nume- 

 rous ingenious chemists would set their brains to work 

 and discover a practical means for repelling these 

 vampires, they would earn the goodwill of all the 

 followers of the gentle craft. 



The fifth or sixth throw rose and hooked a fine fish, 

 which made me uncommonly busy ; he was remarkably 

 lively, and kept me on the move the first ten minutes. 

 I scarcely ever remember to have seen a salmon break 

 water so frequently ; after the first burst, with about 

 sixty yards out, he showed himself six or seven times, 

 springing on each occasion several feet clear of the 

 surface. However, these exertions told upon my foe, 

 for when I turned him he submitted to be guided till 

 all surplus line was in. Through a stumble which I 

 made on passing over .the rocks, I accidentally checked 

 him more abruptly than Mr. Salmon thought was 

 courteous, for off again he went with the velocity of a 

 steam-engine ; however, my tackle was strong and 

 hook well planted, and soon, a second time, I had him 



