212 SPORTING IN BOTH HEMISPHERES. 



what I had guessed him at, viz., a fresh run fish of about 

 twelve pounds weight. I have merely dwelt particularly on 

 this circumstance as it was the first salmon I ever caught, 

 and that with trout tackle and a fancy fly of my own 

 making. About half an hour subsequently I caught another, 

 but rather smaller fish, with the same fly, and by the same 

 mode of proceeding; and our burden being now as heavy 

 as the boy and I could conveniently carry, I returned to the 

 cure's cottage perfectly enchanted with the evening's sport, 

 and determined to be at the same pool, armed with all the 

 legitimate implements of salmon-fishing, at break of day on 

 the following morning. 



Near the spot where I caught my last salmon I observed 

 a party of Bretons employed in cutting lande with a sickle 

 similar to that we use in reaping, one of whom had quitted 

 his companions and observed me with great curiosity, but 

 took no farther notice of me on my departure to the village. 



On the following morning I was by the river side at day- 

 break, with my salmon rod, some of the doctor's favourite 

 flies, and a heavy gaff manufactured by the village black- 

 smith slung across my shoulder. T had scarcely thrown 

 my fly half-a-dozen times, when I perceived the same indi- 

 vidual who had inspected my proceedings on the previous 

 evening (a very wild-looking peasant, with long hair flowing 

 below his waist, and in the usual loose linen costume of 

 the country) standing beside me. In my hurry to get to the 

 spot early I had neglected to bring my boy with me, who 

 always interpreted for me on emergencies, speaking both 

 French and Breton; as I could not explain myself in the 

 latter language, upon being addressed by this unprepos- 

 sessing personage, I offered him a glass of eau de vie and a 

 handful of tobacco, a supply of which I always carried with 

 me in the large pockets of my shooting-jacket for similar 

 use, and generally found it effectual. This offering, however, 



