A HIGHLAND SALMON RIVER. 105 



boy acting as guide, as, from being much with 

 the keepers, he knows every good cast on the 

 river. 



This pool is long, and the current rapid ; and being 

 only deep in the middle, Ward had to wade in to 

 cast it. Although it took some time to go over this 

 stretch, I was hardly disappointed that he only got a 

 small grilse here, and rose some trout. 



The next place is so like the great black pool 

 above, that I looked for something serious, and "Ward 

 did very soon get a rise. As advised, he waited some 

 time before casting over his fish again. This turn 

 the salmon rose bravely, and Ward shouted 



" I have him, Abbott. Must I come on shore ? " 



"No; but come into shallower water, for fear he 

 may run down, that you may follow." 



The fish kept the pool, although he fought hard 

 for nearly half an hour, when I managed to gaff him, 

 yet not so deftly as Archie would have done. A nice 

 bright salmon, close on twelve pounds. 



Ward now wanted me to take the lower part of the 

 pool ; but I asked him to go on, and upon this same 

 reach of water he rose two large fish, and killed 

 another salmon a pound heavier than his first, but 

 rather coarse-headed and not very bright in colour, 



