78 A RIVER OF NORWAY 



of a smooth pool, from which ran a steep rapid. 

 The fish went over the edge, and down the 

 stream. There was no time to discuss the 

 situation, so he followed in the boat. Half- 

 way down the stream, the boat bumped on a 

 rock, and S., more intent on the fish than on 

 his balance, took a header over the stern. The 

 boatman contrived to hold the boat on the 

 rock, and S. crawled into it again. " Where's 

 your rod ? " said the gillie, who had left his 

 manners in America. " I am sure I don't 

 know," said S., who had other things to think 

 about. After they had groped about with the 

 gaff for some time, the rod was discovered in 

 the bed of the river and rescued. Strange 

 to tell, when the slack line was wound up, 

 the fish was found to be still on the hook. 

 They then proceeded on their journey, and 

 the fish was duly killed in the pool below. 

 This eccentric salmon, which, if my memory 

 is correct, weighed 18 lb., was found to be 

 blind of one eye. 



Strange expedients have sometimes to be 

 adopted when a fish goes down beyond an 

 impassable barrier. In a certain Irish fishery 

 there is a bridge, which an angler cannot pass 



