84 FORAYS AMONG SALMON AND DEER. 



and the trout two pounds, three pounds and a half, and 

 four pounds respectively. 



Our booty was now stowed carefully away in the 

 bottom of the dogcart, wrapped in moist rushes ; and 

 our Highland pony being re-yoked, who started off as 

 gaily as though only now leaving the stable for the first 

 time, we speedily left Glen Chruim in the rear. 



Our route still continued along the shore of the 

 frith, which was now rapidly narrowing and assuming 

 more and more the character of a river, as it wound 

 round the bases of the hills and uplands that rose from 

 its tortuous bed. 



We passed several fishermen mending their nets, 

 the season for netting salmon being now passed ; their 

 boats were lying at intervals of from fifty to two hun- 

 dred yards along the bank. It is, indeed, a marvel 

 how the salmon in their ascent succeed in escaping 

 enemies so numerous and indefatigable. Not only 

 have they to elude the seal and the otter, the latter of 

 which proves a constant foe, up to the very highest 

 parts of the river; but the nets of the fishermen, 

 dovetailing together as they do from the opposite banks, 

 and employed as they are almost unremittingly, take 

 the fish in very great numbers. At one place through 

 which we passed, where there was a small collection of 

 fishermen's huts, we were told that three hundred had 

 lately been taken in one day. And yet, in spite of 

 these disadvantages, there are three rivers at the head of 

 this frith, and dependent on its waters for their supply 

 of fish, which nevertheless afford sport almost equal to 

 the best in Scotland. 



As we approached the head of the frith, the clouds, 

 which had been gathering for some time, began to shed 

 a scanty rain. This, however, did not last long ; a 

 breeze springing up dispersed the dampness, and every- 



