72 THE KIVEB CHEUIM. 



of the appetite (very unnecessary, by-the-by, on the 

 present occasion, when the morning air and the long 

 drive had generated a sufficient degree of voracity), we 

 unpacked our fishing-tackle, and, there being a small 

 river near at hand, belonging to the same proprietor 

 as the water we were invited to fish, and which after a 

 speyet not unfrequently afforded very fair sport, we 

 proceeded to spend the remaining two hours of our 

 bait in trying its merit. The Cnruim is but a small 

 stream, save when swollen by rain, the effects of which, 

 however, seldom last beyond a few hours. At this time 

 we found it of very fair dimensions, and the salmon 

 were evidently making the most of the short oppor- 

 tunity, for we saw them constantly springing out of the 

 water on their upward course. 



After following the course of the stream about a 

 quarter of a mile; we came to the only pool on the 

 river, Poul Glas, or the Grey Pool, so called from the 

 colour of the rocks around it. Here the salmon con- 

 gregate before ascending the fall just above; and here 

 we commenced operations. I took the part of the pool 

 nearest to the fall, being separted from it by a rapid, 

 which plunged through some huge fragments of rock 

 almost meeting overhead, and reminding one of the 

 " biue Symplegades," famed in ancient story for closing 

 on the ill-fated vessels that passed between their rocky 

 jaws. On one of these fragments I took my stand, 

 and, casting my fly on the dark water boiling just 

 below, I soon raised a fish, but did not succeed in 

 hooking him. After a slight delay I cast again, and 

 again; but, after repeated trials and no success, as 

 there was no other likely spot except that occupied by 

 my companion, I went up to the fall and watched the 

 waters tumbling down from ledge to ledge, from stone 



