SALMON-SPEARING 167 



dogs ; there's not a breath of scent along the whole 

 hill-side ; and one might as well try to fish in a tnb 

 as throw a line over the looking-glass-like pools to- 

 day. " What's to be the order of the day, Frank ? 

 I think I shall take a walk up to the top of Ben 

 Voil and ' spy ' if there are any deer lying near 

 the ground." 



" I don't think you can do better. We have 

 already planned a foray with the spear in the Upper 

 Pools ; but you don't care about that sort of work ; 

 so good luck to you, and adieu for the present. I 

 suppose you'll take Stuart with you ? " 



Even as he spoke a cheery voice outside had 

 summoned Frank, warning him that his set were 

 waiting ; so, with a parting remembrance from 

 Charles Marston, the eldest of our party, and the 

 tacitly-acknowledged head, to " mind and ' crimp ' 

 your fish directly you get him out of the water," 

 Frank Gordon hastened to the gravelled square in 

 front of the lodge, and found his brother amongst a 

 group of keepers and " gillies," who, by the arms 

 they bore, gave sufficient evidence of their intended 

 occupation. With the exception of a " forester," 

 Hugh Eoss, who, by virtue of his position and his 

 long Gaelic descent, persevered in the traditions of 

 his ancestors, and robed his limbs in a kilt of home- 

 spun tartan, the rest of the sportsmen were clad in 



