200 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



which they disguise themselves : these men come 

 forth in the darkness of the night to burn for salmon. 

 When the winds are hushed, you may sometimes 

 hear the dipping of oars and the clanking of a boat 

 chain, and see at a distance a small light, like a glow- 

 worm. In a little while the light blazes forth, and 

 up rise a set of Othellos who are about to take a 

 private benefit. These minions of the night are 

 generally men of a desperate character, and it is not 

 easy to collect water bailiffs sufficient in number 

 or willing to encounter them ; but if water bailiffs 

 would fight, how very picturesque the attack 

 would be ! The rapids the blazing the leisters 

 the combatants driven headlong into the river. 

 Why, the battle of Constantine and Maxentius, and 

 the affair of the bridge, as seen in the famous fresco, 

 would be nothing to it. The only thing I should 

 apprehend would be, that the bailiffs would 

 eventually sport Marc Antony and run. 



In contradistinction to these illuminati comes your 

 plausible poacher, a sort of river sneak. This man 

 sallies forth with apparent innocence of purpose ; 

 he switches the water with a trout-rod, and ambu- 

 lates the shore with a small basket at his back, 

 indicative of humble pretensions ; but has a pocket 

 in his jacket that extends the whole breadth of the 

 skirts. He is trouting, forsooth ; but ever and 

 anon, as he comes to a salmon-cast, he changes his 

 fly, and has a go at the nobler animal. If he hooks 

 a salmon, he looks on each side with the tail of his 

 eye to guard against a surprise ; and if he sees any 

 danger of discovery from the advance of the foeman, 



