284 A Sportsman at Large 



I had a deal of trouble to explain to her that the fish must 

 be given line, but at last she became wise to my instructions, 

 and handled the salmon quite effectively. 



When the psychological moment arrived, we put her ashore 

 to finish the fight. By this time she was more beat than the 

 fish. Her hair was loose and falling over her face, and she was 

 puffing like a grampus. 



I suggested that I should lend a helping hand, but she 

 wouldn't have it at any price, exclaiming : 



" If I can't snatch the salmon on my own, then it can go 

 hang ! " 



Well, she was as good as her word, so at last Tolle was 

 able to strike home with the gaff, and lay a fine nineteen- 

 pounder at the feet of the C.O., who thereupon collapsed and 

 went into hysterics. This was the first and last time that she 

 ever tried salmon-fishing ! 



" I told you I could and would catch a salmon, Cockie dear," 

 she said, " but having done so I am going to quit. This is no 

 game for one whose view of the essentials of life is the enjoy- 

 ment of perfect peace and repose." 



THE SECOND VISIT TO THE SAND RIVER 



Much to our delight the weather changed and what was at 

 first only a drizzle soon developed into a steady downpour. 

 At the same time the thermometer registered eighty degrees 

 of heat ; consequently, the snows in the watershed of the Sand 

 liquefied speedily and a big spate came down. The torrent 

 again roared over the fall of the Foss, and the whole of the 

 basin boiled and surged furiously, rushing between the straits 

 of Scylla and Charybdis in one huge, irresistible volume. 

 For a day or two fishing was impossible, but when the flood 

 had subsided sufficiently, we had a renewal of sport, or rather 

 I had personally, for I happened to discover a method of 

 fishing which was most effective, though decidedly difficult. 

 I knew that a large concourse of salmon was waiting in the 

 deep pool under the Foss for an opportunity to ascend it by 

 the salmon ladders, in order to gain the upper reaches of the 

 river, as was their custom towards the end of July. No boat 

 could come within casting distance ; therefore, my plan was 



