70 SPORT. 



man, save my boatman's presence, desecrates the 

 scene. My eyes are fixed with a sort of fascina- 

 tion on the water, whose swift but calmly flowing 

 surface remains unruffled, unbroken as yet by the 

 dorsal fin of any scaly giant, and gives no evidence 

 of the life it contains. It is the Unknown ! and as 

 Ole unmoors the boat I confess that a feeling of 

 trepidation seizes me a feeling difficult to define 

 of anticipated pleasure mingled with respect for the 

 power and strength of the unseen and unknown 

 antagonist with whom I am about to grapple, and 

 making me entertain no boastful confidence in the 

 result of the struggle which will forthwith com- 

 mence between us. But all is prepared. Ole, 

 smiling and expectant, holds the boat, which 

 dances a little in the swell, steady for me to enter ; 

 and, with his cheerful but invariable platitude : 

 " Nu skal ve har store fisken " (" Now we will 

 have a big fish "), takes his place and rows me up 

 under the very breakers of the foss. A few short 

 preliminary throws give me the requisite length of 



