A Sportsman at Large soi 



for three miles on the middle reaches of the Rauma river, 

 which runs into the fjord at Romsdal. 



" For years, an average of over five hundred good fish has 

 been taken by these same nets and traps. Now it is reasonable 

 to suppose that such being entirely removed the pools 

 and runs where they played such havoc will, this season, 

 hold a fine show of fish. 



" If you would care to take your chance you can do so, 

 and we shall not charge you a penny rental ; but should 

 you enjoy such sport as we have reason to anticipate, we 

 hope you will give us a report which will ensure satisfactory 

 lettings in the future." 



Always ready to take advantage of likely " sporting chances " 

 such as the worthy Mr. McDowell was now offering, I jumped 

 in and clinched the bargain. 



The Rauma is an exceedingly picturesque river of con- 

 siderable dimensions, and is dominated by the conical Roms- 

 dalhorn, a peak which is strongly reminiscent of the far- 

 famed Matterhorn. Salmon are able to run up some ten miles, 

 until the big foss at Ormheim (I think that is its name) puts 

 an end to their further progression. 



I will pass over our voyage across the dour North Sea and 

 the delightful trip from Molde to the mouth of the Rauma, 

 replete as it was with interest, but devoid of any conspicuous 

 incident. 



Behold, then, our party established in a small farmhouse 

 in the Flatmarc district. To say that our quarters were 

 even comfortable, not to say luxurious, would be to stretch 

 imagination to its utmost limits. Frankly speaking, they 

 were squalid and none too clean. 



And of whom did the said party consist ? As the cricketing 

 egoist said when asked the strength of the eleven of which he 

 was discoursing : " First of all there was me ! " 



Then, of course, there was the C.O., who had been " blooded " 

 (or should I not say " slimed " ?) with her first salmon the 

 previous season on the Sand, as already narrated. 



Her sister-in-law Hattie had come along to lend a hand at 

 the domestic amenities ; whilst my young friend Lindsay 

 Garrard (a dragoon officer and brother of Harry of the same 



