THE CAULD POOL. 173 



however, to keep company with my fish, still doubtful 

 of the result, till I came to the bottom of the long cast 

 in question, when he still showed fight, and sought the 

 shallows below. Unhappily the alders prevented my 

 following by land, and I was compelled to take water 

 again, which slackened my speed. But the stream soon 

 expanding, and the current diminishing, my fish likewise 

 travelled more slowly ; so I gave a few sobs and re- 

 covered my wind a little, gathered up my line, and 

 tried to bring him to terms. But he derided my efforts, 

 and dashed off for another burst, triumphant. Not far 

 below lay the rapids of the Saughterford : he would soon 

 gain them at the pace he was going, that was certain ; 

 — see, he is there already ! But I back out again on 

 dry land, nothing loth, and have a fair race with him. 

 Sore work it is. I am a pretty fair runner, as has 

 often been testified ; but his velocity is surprising. On, 

 on, — still on he goes, ploughing up the water like a 

 steamer. " Away with you, Charlie ! Quick, quick, 

 man, — quick for your life ! Loosen the boat at the Cauld 

 Pool, where we shall soon be." And so indeed we 

 were, when I jumped into the said craft, still having 

 good hold of my fish. 



The Tweed is here broad and deep, and the salmon 

 at length had become somewhat exhausted; he still 

 kept in the strength of the stream, however, with 

 his nose seawards, , and hung heavily. At last he 

 comes near the surface of the water. See how he 

 shakes his tail and digs downwards, seeking the deep 

 profound — that he will never gain. His motions be- 

 come more short and feeble; he is evidently doomed, 



