THE SALMON FISHEE. 77 



pastime carries with it the exciting episodes, aspects 

 and vicissitudes of salmon fishing. These coastwise 

 outings are barren of strange happenings and exi- 

 gencies. They lack the captivating mystery of the 

 woods, the hourly recurrence of ever-changing 

 views, and, metaphysically speaking, the sentiment of 

 the occasion. The tarpum is a John L. Sullivan, 

 among fishes, a slugger and a smasher of lines and 

 hooks, filled with ponderosity, brute force and vio- 

 lence ; he is a runaway horse with the bits in his 

 mouth ; a tearing toros of the bull-ring. As for 

 striped bass fishing, it is a glowing theme of the 

 sounding sea and surf a symphony of " what the 

 w r ild waves are saying." The physical enjoyment is 

 exquisite, and there is a mental exhilaration besides ; 

 but compared with salmon fishing it is monotonous 

 monotonous, but not tame. There is nothing vapid 

 about the wind-swept shores and salt breezes of 

 Pasque Island and Cuttyhunk. But, bless me! 

 there are more sides to salmon fishing than there 

 are facets to a cut gem, or patterns to a kaleidoscope. 

 As I have said, the play of the salmon depends 

 upon the temper of the river. Wherever there is 



