254 OCTOBER 



common size. It sailed about in a very independent 

 way, resisting all persuasion to approach the land. 

 The light was failing ; it would soon be dark ; and 

 additional pressure was put on the fish to bring 

 matters to an issue. This the salmon resented by 

 dropping obstinately down stream, until it was clear 

 of the Haly Wiel altogether, and in the broad, 

 shallow water which intervenes between it and the 

 Monk's Ford. Then matters became livelier. The 

 fish began to run about, got tired, and allowed itself 

 to be towed within reach of the net. For the first 

 time the laird became aware of the monster's dimen- 

 sions : the net, huge as Tweed landing-nets are, was 

 too small to admit its head and shoulders. Three 

 times the attempt was made, and failed as often. 

 It was dark by this time, and difficult to distinguish 

 shallow water from deep. In short, something went 

 wrong lamentably wrong; a little jerk a feeble 

 wallop in the water and the line dangled limply 

 from the rod, minus the fly. 



'Well,' says the reader, ' where is the horrible part 

 of all this ? Every fisherman has lost the biggest 

 fish he ever hooked. The laird was no worse off 

 than others. He did not go and hang himself, I 

 suppose.' 



