242 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



of many a tall pine or shadowy beech. I took the opportunity 

 of explaining to Johnny that the large " stells " paid a deal o' 

 money to Government, which they could not do if the little 

 ones were allowed to compete and pay nothing ; that Govern- 

 ment paid an army with this money to keep the French from 

 coming over, and taking him where he would never see a glass 

 of whisky more : that if he objected to pay soldiers in this 

 way, he must e'en go and be a " soger " himself for nothing, 

 to prevent the aforesaid French inroad. This last piece of 

 logic evidently had some effect ; and I question if Johnny will 

 long for the strong waters of " Loch Ow " the next time he is 

 so fortunate as to be presented with a glass from the large 

 " stells " of Glenlivet or Glen May. 



When I arrived at Cladich, my first step was to order in the 

 steelyard, when my fish proved 15 J Ib. odd, so must have been 

 nearly seventeen when taken out of the water. I had killed in 

 Loch Vennachar, the year before, with single gut, a clean salmon 

 which weighed 17 Ib. when brought home. This salmon did 

 not make nearly so fierce a run as the Loch Awe trout with 

 gimp. I have heard gentlemen speak slightingly of the best 

 trout when compared with salmon ; but let them have one of 

 these Loch Awe monsters on their hooks, in as good condition 

 as mine was, and I venture to say they will not complain of 

 the want of mettle in the trout. I have no doubt that the 

 Salmoferox is superior, both in strength and spirit, to the Salmo 

 solar. Unless the ferox is in first-rate condition, his head is 

 very ugly, and looks much too large for his body. This was 

 not the case with the specimen I have just described ; his head 

 is smaller, and his shoulder more round than any I have ever 

 taken ; on which account I had him preserved by Fenton 1 in 

 George Street, Edinburgh. 



1 Tommy Fenton emigrated to America years ago. He was the best artist 

 in his trade I ever saw. Having studied the creatures in their native hills, he 

 was unrivalled at positions. 



