THE LATE SALMO SALAR, ESQ. 43 



attempted to- seize it in my mouth. The motion 

 was rapid, but still too slow to be effectual ; 

 the creature vanished ere my lips could close 

 on it. Whilst turning slowly round to seek 

 my former station somewhat sulkily, too, for 

 the object I had failed to attain had, in con- 

 sequence, acquired a value it had not previously 

 possessed I heard a voice say, 



" ' Ay, but that was a bonny grilse ! Ay, 

 but it was a grand rise he made, too ! Ye 

 were ower quick in striking.' 



" ' I think I was,' was the reply, ' but we'll 

 try again.' 



" c Bide a wee, sir ; bide a wee ; give him 

 time to return to his old station before you 

 show him the flee again.' 



" Utterly unconscious of the meaning of 

 these words, and in no respect connecting them 

 with myself or my doings, I saw with some 

 surprise, not unmixed with pleasure, the 

 little jerking figure again passing within three 

 feet of my nose. There was a band of silver 

 round its throat that excited my cupidity, 

 and I was, moreover, somewhat nettled 

 at the failure of my previous attempt to 

 seize it. Without a moment's pause, I dashed 



