164 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPOHTS. 



the Niger, or Speke *and Grant's first sight of the 

 upper waters of the Nile, can scarce have afforded more 

 satisfaction to those illustrious travellers than I expe- 

 rienced on this occasion. Several seals were fishing 

 in the current, and their disregard of my presence 

 convinced me that their acquaintance with the lords of 

 creation had been very limited. Several families of 

 wild duck were conspicuous, while salmon and sea 

 trout broke water wherever the stream was undis- 

 turbed by the unwelcome seals. Reader, have you 

 ever been on rivers and witnessed how rapidly the 

 arrival of a seal in a pool is transmitted ? The 

 moment before his unwelcome presence is known, 

 thousands of fish sport themselves, but on his advent 

 being published, not an indication can be noted that 

 aught else tenants the water save this amphibious 

 animal. After taking a due survey I started up- 

 wards, following the margin of the stream. In less 

 than a mile I found its general characteristics changed, 

 and from a steady rapid current it became a boiling, 

 seething cataract. Again its character changed, and 

 large sombre-looking pools interrupted its precipi- 

 tous course. Howl longed for a rod! It required 

 much less experience than mine to be aware that this 

 was a magnificent fishing- ground. Salmon rose on all 

 sides, pitching themselves clear of the water and 



