Salmon Fishing. 233 



to the bottom, I looked round, it was as wild 

 a bit of river-scenery, as any ardent disciple 

 of the pencil could desire. For a pool to handle 

 a hooked salmon in, however, oh, thought I, 

 may the fates avert such a catastrophe from 

 befalling me ! 



Though Peter would insist upon my trying 

 it, I saw my chance of moving a fish was by 

 no means promising, the water as it struck me 

 being far too deep. The next pool below I 

 could only fish by wading some way on a 

 narrow ridge of smooth slippery stones, with 

 seven or eight feet of water on each side of 

 me. " No, Peter, take the rod, if you like, 

 and fish it yourself ; I don't want to be drowned 

 quite yet." 



Peter did as most are wont to do, when 

 offered a throw or two. He commenced paying 

 out more line, and the consequence was, that 

 his performance was anything than artistic. 



When we left these pools, without the symptom 

 of a rise, we came to water that at once struck 

 Q 



