38 A RIVER OF NORWAY 



said that his experience was confined to trout, 

 that it had never fallen to his lot to fish for 

 salmon, and that he doubted his being equal 

 to the task. But they would take no denial; 

 and at the time appointed Mr. Blank emerged 

 from his cabin suitably attired, bringing a rod 

 and tackle. I did not much like the look of 

 the latter, and urged him in vain to use mine. 

 He was rowed by the unwilling Lars to the 

 head of Lervik Pool, while I stood on the bank, 

 and almost at the first cast he hooked a fish of 

 12 or 14 Ib. When he had landed, Lars, who 

 had the air of washing his hands of the whole 

 proceeding, said that it was too dark for him 

 to see to gaff the fish, and that I must do so. 

 I took the gaff and stood ready by the water's 

 edge. Mr. Blank had up to this time played 

 the fish well and carefully, but in one of its 

 final rushes he allowed the line to come against 

 my shoulder, and the cast broke and the fish 

 was gone. Lars took the rest of the cast, which 

 was a poor one, broke it into small fragments, 

 threw them on the ground and spat on them 

 with a gesture of indescribable contempt. I 

 hope that if this should meet the eye of Mr. 

 Blank, he will forgive me for publishing his sad 



