A HARD FIGHT. 301 



fish who had thus performed, that my fly was much frayed 

 and worn. 



After waiting for many minutes, trusting that my foe 

 would change his mind and his quarters, I became im- 

 patient, and, believing my tackle to be good, put on a little 

 extra purchase ; this ruse was successful, for with astound- 

 ing velocity the fish started down stream at racing pace 

 for parts unknown. The reel fairly yelled, and instead of 

 the well-made sonorous click being heard, a discordant 

 screech was its utterance. Close on a hundred yards of 

 line rushed through the heated rings before he slackened 

 up, and a good twenty yards more I had followed his 

 course ; at the end of this dash he broke water splendidly, 

 causing the spray to fly for many feet around. Again and 

 again his argentine flanks reflected brilliant radii in the 

 sunlight, and at each glistening reflection of the solar rays 

 I feared that we should part company without the most re- 

 mote chance of further or more closely renewing our ac- 

 quaintance. Fortune and good tackle, however, favored 

 me ; and I had the satisfaction of turning his head for the 

 source of the river, and probable birthplace of himself and 

 relations. With the greatest satisfaction I took in yard 

 after yard, my hopes rising as the body of my reel expand- 

 ed ; at length I saw the loop which attached the line to the 

 leader, and the sight caused me more satisfaction than one 

 can imagine who is engaged in the ordinary pursuits of life. 

 Oh salmon-fishing! what pleasure have I enjoyed follow- 

 ing thy peaceful pursuit ! What ecstasy, what delight ! 

 Would that I had the pen of the most fluent writer, or 

 tongue of the most eloquent spokesman ! I could do you 

 far more j nstice ; but still I doubt if it is in power of words 

 to mete to you an iota of the laudation and praise your 

 fascinations so eminently deserve. 



Why wander ; -f rom facts ? Simply because I can not 



