ELOOD, SALMON, AND STARLINGS 311 



stone bridge, built long ago, crossed the river below ; further in 

 the background stood another ruined castle, and beyond that the 

 view was bounded by high mountains, suggestive of grouse. It 

 was all very picturesque and delightful. On these occasions we 

 always had a visitor a robin who, without loss of time, 

 appeared from out of the ivy with a twitter, knowing evidently 

 from former experience that the various paper parcels would hold 

 something for him also. He enjoyed his lunch as much as we 

 did ours, but our satisfaction was still further enhanced when 

 able, at the same time, to feast the eye on a salmon as it lay 

 before us on the grass the reward of our labours in the 

 morning. We then also watched for fish rising, in order to 

 get valuable hints as to their whereabouts. How much more 

 interesting and exciting it is to try for a fish when you know 

 where he lies ; every time the fly or minnow passes over the spot 

 hope is strongest and nerves most keenly strung, ready to detect 

 the slightest touch. 



I always felt very restless during lunch, more than half 

 convinced that by not fishing the biggest fish in the river 

 had been lost. 



Adjoining the castle is a very deep pool of almost stagnant 

 water, with the reputation of holding many big fish. Owing 

 to the proximity of the wall it is most difficult to fish, and 

 generally passed over. It was a great temptation, however, 

 to try it with a minnow, and by coiling the line on the grass the 

 feat was accomplished one day. A fish did take a heavy hold of 

 the bait, and visions of landing a leviathan passed through 

 my brain visions, alas ! to collapse immediately, for the bait 

 and the hoped-for giant parted company. The disappointment 

 was great, for, curiously enough, it was the third instance that 

 day of big fish all, one after the other, ejecting the hooks. 

 Probably they all rose short, but in every instance the lure 

 was a killogh on crocodile hooks, a murderous bait, and one 

 apparently impossible to get rid of if once touched. The 

 language at these repeated misfortunes, if perhaps not fit 

 for the pulpit, is perfectly justifiable, and certainly relieves 

 the mind to some extent. However, on the evening of that 

 same day I yet was fortunate enough to land a fish, after passing 

 through a very anxious time, the former mishaps in my mind, 

 until the gaff had done its work. It is astonishing why all the 



