16 SALMON-FISHING AT NIGHT. 



and save their nets from injury, by working in a quiet pool 

 immediately above a shallow, where they station one of 

 their number, who watches for the ascending flotilla, and 

 gives a signal to his companions on its coming within 

 ken. Forthwith they put out their nets, and they are 

 almost certain to catch the salmon. And in this way 

 very few of the fish escape while the water remains low, 

 but as soon as a slight flood rises they can get up unper- 

 ceived. In the night, as in the day, it is easy to distin- 

 guish them, from the sparkle and sheen of the water as 

 they struggle onward. Moreover, the noise they make 

 is always' detected by the acute ear of the experienced 

 fisher. 



There is something romantic, or, as lady novelists 

 would say, thrilling, in listening during the "stilly night" 

 to the hoarse cry of the watch when he discovers a fish, 

 and the rushing sound of oars and boat immediately 

 afterwards. Sometimes a stealthy otter suddenly appears 

 in the shallows, having slipped quietly and unobserved 

 through the deeper parts of the stream, until, for want of 

 water to cover him, he is compelled to wade. As soon 

 as he is descried, a general clamour is heard, for he is a 

 daring poacher, and one of the fishermen's worst enemies. 

 They endeavour to entangle him in the net, and if they 

 succeed he immediately falls a victim to their vengeance ; 

 but not infrequently he slips noiselessly to the side of 

 the bank, hides in some hollow or reedy nook until the 

 danger is past, and then glides away unperceived. 



Mr. St. John is of opinion that neither sea-trout nor 

 salmon ever seem happy, except when breasting their 

 way against a stream. It is certainly astonishing what 

 difficulties they are ready to encounter and overcome. 



