174 SALMON-SPEARING 



whole weight on his weapon, the shaking shaft told 

 of the good quarry he had secured. With a wild 

 shout of triumph Alick rushed to the rescue, and 

 throwing himself down in the water, seized the 

 salmon under the gills, and quickly bore him to 

 land, where Marston's injunction was acted upon, 

 and the crimping-knife brought into play. 



"Ye took a good shot, too, Mister Alick," said 

 Hugh Eoss, looking at the wound behind the head 

 which Gordon had given ; " but he was a clean-run 

 fish, and as full of life as a stag in August; and 

 I'm thinking he will not have joost right justice at 

 fifteen pounds' weight." 



" I'd be sorry to carry him at that weight, 

 Hugh," answered his master. " But all the merit 

 belongs to you, for little should we ever have seen 

 of him again but for that flying shot of yours. 

 However, there he is, and a beautifully-shaped 

 fish too ; so tie him up, and let's carry him off 

 to the house, where you'll get glory enough from 

 both Mr Marston and the cook. Come along- 

 Frank." 



So saying, Alick marched away, followed by the 

 rest of the party. On arriving at the lodge, they 

 found that Marston had not yet returned ; so 

 it being still early in the day, they debated as 

 to the best method of employing the time yet 



