EAGLE AND SALMON. 91 



Gillespie the foxhunter, though no fisherman, has 

 several stories of adventures connected with the 

 salmon. On one occasion he killed an otter and a 

 salmon by the same shot, while they were struggling 

 together. The otter was so intent on securing his 

 prey, that he did not observe the approach of the third 

 party, and Gillespie, standing motionless on the bank 

 of the pool, awaited his opportunity; and as the 

 unsuspecting otter drew the fish towards the bank, 

 close beneath the foxhunter, a well-directed shot 

 passed through his brain, and at the same moment 

 entered the shoulder of the salmon, at once terminating 

 the existence of both. On another occasion, while 

 wandering along the seashore, he performed the still 

 more remarkable feat of killing a seal and cod in the 

 same manner. A curious incident was related to me 

 a few days ago by a Highland gentleman. He was 

 sauntering along the seashore with his gun, when he 

 saw an eagle suddenly pounce upon some object in 

 the water, in all probability a salmon. A fierce fight 

 ensued, in which it seemed doubtful on which side 

 would be the victory. The talons of the eagle were so 

 deeply imbedded in the back of the fish, that he could 

 not extricate himself; while the fish, on his part, was 

 not strong enough to drag his assailant under water. 

 In this state they continued for some time ; the tenant 

 of the deep rushing wildly about, and ploughing up 

 the still waters of the bay ; while the monarch of the 

 air, for once fairly matched, was compelled to ride his 

 finny courser, nolens volens, occasionally declaring his 

 majesty's reluctance by a not very dignified flapping 

 of his kingly pinions. Thus engaged, my informant 

 watched the struggle with considerable interest, until 

 the combatants gradually drifted out to sea, and were 



