154 SALMON FISHING IN THE TWEED 



present instance, for in a short time I killed six 

 fish. When I had subdued their strength, I gave 

 up the rod to my companion, who finished them 

 skilfully enough. These fish were from seven to 

 twelve pounds each, as well as I can recollect. I 

 next hooked a large and peremptory salmon ; and 

 when he got weak I could not land, on account of 

 the alders which grew on the margin of the river. 



" Give me the cleik," said my confident friend ; 

 "let me come at him. I should like to try my 

 hand at that, as well as at the rod, though it is a 

 savage affair. Do you think I can manage it ? " 



" I have no doubt of it," said I, " tarn Marti, 

 quam Mercurio. But pray let me interrogate 

 you a little. Can you swim ? " 



" Swim ! no, not I ; why do you ask me that ? " 



" Because assuredly, if you do not take care, that 

 salmon will pull you into the water ; so be canny." 



There was an open laugh at this, and a look of 

 defiance at the fish. Rash youth ! you stretched 

 forth your dexter, and executed a well-directed 

 stroke at the animal, thinking to tuck him out of 

 the water at one coup ; but you had very consider- 

 ably miscalculated your own powers, and the weight 

 you were to encounter. There were two things 

 decidedly against you : one, that the salmon was 

 three feet long, and lay with his broadside towards 

 you, so that you had a heavy weight to lift, and a 

 considerable column of water to displace ; the other, 

 that you were standing in a boat, and had an 

 unstable balance. Thus, you were tilted forward in 

 a way with which your will had nothing to do ; so 

 that had not I, even I, Harry Otter, laid hold of the 



