GREAT BUN OF FISH. 228 



stream was to be the order of march; the point was 

 settled by Jemmy's saying that he had just seen a fish 

 spring out of the water, some fifty yards below, in a 

 pool which I had never tried before, and to which I 

 now proceeded. I tried the top part, which looked 

 much the best, but without moving a fin ; and I was 

 saying to Jemmy that we were to have a poor day's 

 sport, when a great splash half way down the pool, 

 where it is rather narrow, with a slight but very deep 

 stream, brought me quickly to the spot. At the first 

 cast I gave, and before the fly had gone a yard through 

 the water, I daresay six fish had bolted at it; they 

 must have jostled each other, for none touched. I 

 cast again immediately, and at it they came again ; 

 but this time I hooked one. I ran him up to the top 

 of the pool, and landed him on a nice gravel beach, 

 and back I went. The first cast, again there were 

 three or four rises; the second, another fish was 

 hooked and killed. They seemed so determined to 

 be taken, that Jemmy declared they were having a 

 " Bannish " (Anglice, " wedding ") an occasion on 

 which any piece of folly is pardonable in the High- 

 lands. They certainly must have been affectecl in 

 some extraordinary manner, for through four hours I 

 stood upon the same spot, only going to the top of the 

 pool to land the fish, and during that time I believe I 

 never cast twice without raising a fish. At last, about 

 twelve o'clock, they ceased rising all of a sudden, and 

 I ceased trying ; so I had the flask out, took and gave 

 nips, and a bite of bread and cheese, lighted my pipe, 

 and told Jemmy to count them. He began with the 

 smallest, and down they came at my feet, 1, 2, 3, to 11. 

 He stopped, and I was remarking, " This pool has 

 done well, Jemmy," when down comes another into the 



