AMONGST WILD FOWL AND SALMON. 63 



As our party was so large, both the boats were 

 taken out ; the old boat being a sound coble, but not 

 suited for more than four people, while the new craft 

 might have held us all for a sail, although quite easy 

 to manage. 



Fred, who was anxious for pike, went off in the 

 small boat for a trial in the weedy bays. And by- 

 and-by the Major, Ward, Archie, and myself em- 

 barked in the Jersey, as we had just baptized the 

 new boat, and sacrificed a bottle of wine in the 

 ceremony. 



Ward and I now took the oars, and pulled right 

 away for the deep parts of the loch, where the hills 

 shelved steep down to the water. We were then to 

 fish for a mile or two round the loch, or to act as 

 found expedient. 



On the way out we passed Fred's party, busy with 

 tackle and trout-bait for the pike, and Ward called out, 



" I say, Fred." 



" Yes, my love," cried Freddy. 



" Do you see that island about a mile up ? Be 

 there at three for lunch." 



" Perhaps ; but if not up to time, be comforted; 

 we have bread here, and may be engaged," replied 

 Fred. 



