38 AUTUMNS ON THE SPEY. 



Nevertheless, although perfectly transparent, it 

 appeared to have risen a few inches, quite suffi- 

 cient, under the circumstances, to encourage the 

 hopes of an ardent salinon-fisher ; and it was with 

 a secret feeling of satisfaction that I now found 

 myself "told off" to the very part of the river 

 that had heen the scene of my previous dis- 

 appointment. 



On this occasion I was accompanied by a young 

 friend, whom I shall call A, and the hoy Simon, 

 who was to perform the duties of clipper for both 

 of us ; and, as we were likely to be employed in 

 different pools during the day, we provided our- 

 selves with shrill whistles, by the use of which 

 we could summon him to our assistance as we 

 might respectively require his services ; the 

 human voice being more easily drowned in the 

 noise of the rapids. 



I have already said that as the Spey approaches 

 the sea, it, or " she " as the river is always 

 designated here divides into several branches. 

 Some of these, after running for half a mile or 

 more, again join the main current. Thus as I 

 had now good reason to remember one may find 

 one's self occasionally on the point of a peninsula, 

 with a stream roaring on both sides. If too 

 deep to cross in wading boots, and with a big 



