ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 211 



of my flask, and devise in what manner to bear 

 homewards, through moor and darkness, a trophy so 

 magnificent. 



My first idea was to conceal the fish in some hol- 

 low or other, and endeavour to thread my way 

 towards the inn, which lay several miles off in 

 the neighbourhood of Loch Rannoch, whence, on 

 the day following, I should set out to fetch him, 

 having procured proper assistance. I regret, indeed, 

 that this plan was not pursued, as, had it been, I 

 should probably have escaped the mortification I 

 was destined to suffer, in being obligated to relin- 

 quish so noble a prize. Unwilling, however, to pro- 

 ceed without him, I took it into my head, as a good 

 expedient, that I might readily, by means of my 

 tackle, which remained as yet unextricated from his 

 gorge, float the fish forward down the Gawin and 

 through Loch Aich to within a few yards of where 

 I intended to quarter for the night. 



Accordingly, I commenced the attempt, but had 

 scarcely proceeded above two hundred paces, when my 

 attention was directed to the plunge of a large animal 

 immediately below me, and before I could drag in my 

 captive out of harm's way, he was in the grasp of a 

 powerful otter! In vain, gentlemen, did I shout; in 

 vain rush forward into the stream; tackle and fish 

 both had disappeared in a twinkling; the rascal had 

 carried all away with him. To say more, would be 

 to describe the feelings of one crazed by misfortune! 



