CHAPTER XVIII 



AFTER effecting the capture of various inconsiderable 

 specimens of the Salar ilk in the United Kingdom and 

 Ireland, my soul was stirred by descriptions, verbal and 

 journalistic, of what was to be done in the Land of the Mid- 

 night Sun ; so I took the earliest opportunity available for a 

 personal and intimate investigation. 



I fastened on one particular bit of fishing in Messrs. Lumley's 

 list as being quite to my taste, provided it came anywhere 

 near the description provided. This was Colonel Whitmore's 

 stretch of the Surendal river, yclept Harang, where the 

 fly, and the fly only, was de rigueur. I was placed in com- 

 munication with the gallant owner, and after a courteous and 

 pleasant correspondence, the lease of the water for June and 

 July was signed, sealed and delivered. 



In due course I found myself with the C.O. and her brother, 

 my valet Bedford and his wife Flora (our cook), enjoying 

 the hospitality of the little Wilson liner Juno, en route for 

 Christiansund. I shall never forget my first sight of Aalsund, 

 and the inhalation of the indescribably delicious air of Norway. 

 From Christiansund we proceeded to our destination in a 

 launch, laden with stores provided at reasonable tariffs by 

 my agents, Messrs. Dahl Brothers. 



After landing, we had a seven-mile journey in carioles and 

 stolkjerries, through a truly lovely country, until we arrived 

 at our Harang quarters a charming lodge, replete with all 

 reasonable comforts. We were cordially welcomed by Peter 

 Olam, the water bailiff, and an amiable old Laverack setter 

 bitch called Belle. I forgot to mention that my C.O. had 

 insisted on bringing her (alleged) fox-terrier Billy along with 

 us. His presence she declared to be sine qua non. In order 



196 



