SALMON-SPEARING 173 



With a few strokes Alick gained the shallows 

 at the tail of the pool, and as the stream divided 

 into two chief courses, himself commanded one with 

 his spear, and deputed the other to Hugh Eoss. 

 Meanwhile, Frank was directing the gillies, who 

 were " poking " the fall and deep water with the 

 long poles we mentioned, a proceeding intended to 

 drive any fish that might be lying about there 

 down to the lower end of the pool, where they 

 would meet the spearmen, or else to take refuge 

 behind the big rocks and boulders, where they 

 might be discovered afterwards. All was noise 

 and eagerness, save with the two spearmen, who, 

 silent as statues, were keenly watching the few 

 yards of clear water in front of them, ready to 

 spring into life the moment they detected the 

 approach of a fish. And as Hugh Ross looked, a 

 black shadow of a sudden swept down with the 

 current before him, and as he moved a step to meet 

 it, whisked away, and shot past him with the arrow- 

 like speed which a salmon, better than any fish that 

 swims, can command ; but the active Highlander 

 was a match for the occasion, and with a dexterity 

 which must be seen to be appreciated, gave a back- 

 ward spring, and struck sharp down with his spear 

 a good two feet in front of his mark ; and as he 

 held the struggling fish down by bearing with his 



