60 SPRING SALMON 



manifest kelt, which was expiscated, and duly returned 

 unhurt. 



Well, if kelts are on the move, clean fish may be so 

 also ; and I fished on in momentary expectation, having, 

 from long experience, faith in the seasonal, if irrational, 

 impulse which drives salmon from the abundant store- 

 house of the ocean into the lean quarters of a Highland 

 torrent, no matter how inclement may be the time. It 

 came at last a good solid 'rug' under water, just 

 where the current narrowed between two opposing ice- 

 floes, and a few minutes of vigorous exercise set the 

 blood circulating in fine style. There were moments 

 of exceeding apprehension, when the fish evinced a 

 decided hankering for shelter under the ice at my feet ; 

 but eighteen feet of greenheart availed to hold him 

 clear, and in five minutes I was enjoying one of the 

 fairest sights upon which an angler's eyes may feast 

 themselves a new-run salmon reposing upon a wreath 

 of stainless snow. 



XVIII 



The change in men and manners noted by one crossing 



Spring the Moray Firth is not less remarkable than 



salmon ^^ - n ^ Q habits and behaviour of birds 



which distinguishes the districts north and south of 



that stately fiord. The Saxon element predominates in 



the counties bordering upon Aberdeen ; but cross the 



Firth, pass into the dreary tableland of Caithness, and 



you encounter unmistakable Scandinavian traits in 



