172 LEAVES FEOM A GAME BOOK. 



then began to cast, when, just as anticipated, the fish 

 took the fly greedily the moment it came over him. 

 Then the fun began, while all thought of the Sabbath 

 was forgotten. With a great dash the fish left the 

 pool to make down stream, and although he went 

 faster than was pleasant, as the going was good, I 

 managed to keep pretty level with him. 



After a run of about two hundred yards we came 

 to another pool, and as it, too, was also well hidden 

 from view of the road, I was pleased when my captive 

 showed a disposition to halt ; and then after his fit 

 of the sulks was over he began to "jigger," swim 

 round and round, spring out of the water, and try 

 all the various dodges known to salmon to extricate 

 themselves from difficulties. In this manner the best 

 part of half an hour passed away, when he began to 

 weaken, and if I had had but a lengthier gaff or a 

 stouter rod, the contest would now have been speedily 

 ended, but it is a very difficult matter with a ten-foot 

 trout rod to bring a not quite exhausted fish up to 

 within striking distance of a short gaff. At last I 



