168 AUTUMNS ON THE SPEY. 



it, made one final desperate effort, and rushed 

 right over to a shallow at the other side of the 

 pool where he had not been before, but quickly 

 yielding to the rod, his back fin and the upper 

 part of his tail appeared above the surface, show- 

 ing, though but for a few seconds, his enormous 

 proportions, before he rolled heavily into the deep 

 water, as I gradually but steadily drew him 

 towards the shore. Just at this moment I felt 

 almost sure of success, as he was now compara- 

 tively reduced to obedience, when an unexpected 

 crisis suddenly arrived. 



A little below the fish, but nearer to me, I caught 

 a glimpse of a small stump a fragment of a 

 submerged tree projecting above the surface. In 

 a few seconds all would be over unless I could force 

 him to this side before the stream carried the line 

 across it. Then, indeed, I ventured- in Irish 

 parlance to " show him the butt," wiiuling-up 

 and walking backwards at the same instant, with 

 my heart in my mouth during that trying moment. 

 It was " touch and go." The slightest effort on 

 the part of the descending giant would have 

 ensured his immediate escape, but how can I 

 describe my delight as he passed between me and 

 the terrible stump, although but a few inches from 

 the latter. The rest may be briefly told. The 



