268 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING. 



resumed our sport ; I, Harry Otter, stood as before at 

 the head of the boat, and the other men in their allotted 

 places ; we passed pretty swiftly down the streams, 

 broadside in front, striking many fish, till we came 

 near the Elfin Burn, when, observing that the water- 

 break in the centre of the river, caused by a concealed 

 rock, was more gentle than usual, I thought the boat 

 would strike, so I called out to Charlie for caution. 



" Hoot, toot, he mun let her gang ; there is plenty 

 of water to take her over." 



Charlie Purdie was never more mistaken in his life ; 

 the stream drove us downward at a rapid race, not- 

 withstanding we in some measure moderated it by cap- 

 ping our best with the leisters. Bang went the boat's 

 broadside right against the rock, to which she stuck 

 fast till the stream above poured into her in the most 

 effective possible style, and down she went of course. 

 The water, however, was by no means deep ; but those 

 fish, which we had taken since the load went home, 

 found their way again into the river and began to 

 vanish down the streams. Being deprived of life, they 

 went passively along, followed by all the boat's crew, 

 who rushed about and charged with their leisters, 

 " hurry, hurry, splash, splash," till they fished out most 

 of them, the remainder being left to solace the eels. 

 This in common parlance would be called a disaster ; 

 a sort of shipwreck in miniature; but judging from 

 the merriment it excited, it might be deemed the best 

 sport of the night. 



Whilst these gambols were carrying on, and the men 

 were rolling about in the waters, after the o-uise of sea 



