SALMON -ANGLING. 81 



was still unchanged. I therefore put on bait, when he 

 dashed at it like a bull-dog. In about twenty minutes I 

 had him extended on the gray shingle, half on land, half 

 in water, when his hold broke. I rushed down, but had 

 the mortification to see him waddle into the deeps again. 

 With my crest a little lowered, I descended to my quon- 

 dam friend in the first pool ; a fifth time he rose fiercely. 

 I therefore waited the usual time, and he rose again. 

 Upon the seventh trial, however, he refused ; so I gave 

 him the same lure which had nearly proved fatal to the 

 other. Instantly he was at it and fast. But a more cross- 

 grained " sea-king" I never contended with. It was 

 about twelve o'clock when I hooked him. At one, he was 

 fresh as a laverock. About forty yards below, a tree that 

 jutted over a deep part of the river prevented my leading 

 him down stream, so he had every advantage, and I must 

 say seemed inclined to take it. Sometimes he would 

 sulk, and when with great trouble I shook him off the 

 bottom, he would rush up or down the pool, terminating 

 his vagaries by a fair somerset. Half-past two o'clock, 

 and my arm quite tired. I looked often to the road for 

 assistance, but no one appeared. A little before three, I 

 saw a car, and hailed the driver, who good-naturedly left 

 his vehicle, and to my question if he could gaff a fish, 

 replied that " he wasna gude wi' the flee, but gie him 

 a stroke at the sawmont wi' the clip, and he wadna 

 seek anither." I gave him my gaff, and began to strain 

 and shake the salmon, if possible to bring him within the 

 reach of my self-confident ally. At last I brought him 



