322 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



pool ; but although I gave him the customary " law," and 

 also changed my flies, he was stubborn. I therefore walked 

 off to the two top pools, but no fish moved in them either at 

 fly or bait. I returned to my first salmon up he came again, 

 keen as ever. I left him once more for his neighbour in the 

 pool above, but his mood 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 grey 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 

 quondam 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. Some- 

 times 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 somersault. 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 with some difficulty near the fatal weapon. The " stroke " 

 was given, but it was too plain the " sawmont " would require 

 if he did not " seek anither ' " The man had scraped him, 



