182 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



channel, and threw them one by one between the 

 fish and the said opposite bank. This naturally 

 brought Master Salmo somewhat nearer ; but still 

 for a few moments we had a doubtful struggle for 

 it. At length, by lowering the head of the rod, and 

 thus not having so much of the ponderous weight 

 of the fish to encounter, I towed him a little side- 

 ways ; and so advancing towards me with propitious 

 fin, he shot through the arch nearest me. 



Deeply immersed, I dashed after him as best I 

 might ; and arriving on the other side of the bridge 

 I floundered out upon dry land, and continued the 

 chase. The salmon, " right orgillous and presump- 

 tive," still kept the strength of the stream, and, 

 abating nothing of his vigour, went swiftly down 

 the Whirls ; then through the Boat shiel, and over 

 the shallows, till he came to the throat of the Elm- 

 wheel, down which he darted amain. Owing to the 

 bad ground, the pace here became exceedingly dis- 

 tressing. I contrived, however, to keep company 

 with my fish, still doubtful of the result, till I came 

 to the bottom of the long cast in question, when he 

 still showed fight, and sought the shallows below. 

 Unhappily the alders prevented my following by 

 land, and I was compelled to take water again, 

 which slackened my speed. But the stream soon 

 expanding, and the current diminishing, my fish 

 likewise travelled more slowly ; so I gave a few sobs 

 and recovered my wind a little, gathered up my line, 

 and tried to bring him to terms. But he derided 

 my efforts, and dashed off for another burst, trium- 

 phant. Not far below lay the rapids of the Saughtcr- 



