66 WHAT 1 HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



CHAPTER VII. 



ELIN SCHOOLMASTER " 

 SALMON FISHING IN THE ATLANTIC. 



A DAY'S sea-fishing with my son, and with Pat, 

 Billy and that truly great sportsman, the Teelin 

 schoolmaster, given a calm day for Billy's sake 

 into the bargain is a pleasure to be anticipated 

 with stirrings of great expectations. 



It was Saturday, and the bare-footed boys, with 

 many holes and coloured patches in their scanty 

 garments, were boisterously happy as we passed 

 them en route for Teelin Pier. Their joyous greet- 

 ing left no room for signs of dread of birch or irk- 

 some tasks. They whooped their loudest by way 

 of salutation, and the smile they got in return told 

 plainly that boys and master were happy in their 

 everyday relations. 



This to me, who have had occasion to make 

 a lengthened, loving fight not finished yet to 

 remain a boy for boys' sakes, was a pleasing sight, 

 and I turned upon the schoolmaster with, " How 

 have you managed this?" " I am a father, Mr. 

 Geen, and it's my children's love that I shall crave 

 for beyond all other blessings. So I have thought 



