172 MELROSE BRIDGE. 



at first considerably; but the reel sang out joyously, 

 and yielded a liberal length of line, that saved me from 

 the disgrace of being broke. I got on the best pace I 

 was able, and was on good ground just as my line was 

 nearly all run out. As the powerful animal darted 

 through Meg's Hole, I was just able to step back and 

 wind up a few yards of line ; but he still went a killing 

 pace, and when he came near Melrose Bridge he 

 evinced a distressing preference for passing through the 

 farther arch, in which case my line would have been 

 cut by the pier. My heart sunk with apprehension, 

 for he was near the opposite bank. Purdie seeing this, 

 with great presence of mind took up some stones from 

 the channel, and threw them one by one between the 

 fish and the said opposite bank. This naturally brought 

 Master Salmo somewhat nearer; but still for a few 

 moments we had a doubtful struggle for it. At length, 

 by lowering the head of the rod, and thus not having 

 so much of the ponderous weight of the fish to en- 

 counter, I towed him a little sideways; and so advancing 

 towards me with propitious fin, he shot through the 

 arch nearest me. 



Deeply immersed, I dashed after him as best I 

 might ; and arriving on the other side of the bridge 

 I floundered out upon dry land, and continued the 

 chase. The salmon, " right orgillous and presump- 

 tive," still kept the strength of the stream, and, 

 abating nothing of his vigour, went swiftly down the 

 Whirls ; then through the Boat shiel, and over the shal- 

 lows, till he came to the throat of the Elm-wheel, down 

 which he darted amain. Owing to the bad ground, the 

 pace here became exceedingly distressing. I contrived, 



