1 76 SALMON-SPEARING 



it to the torches, which some of the gillies bore 

 patiently on. 



It was not yet eleven o'clock when the sportsmen 

 stood on the banks of the Arkail, looking happily 

 across the broad river, which flowed musically over 

 its shallow bed, showing almost clearer in the silver 

 radiance of the moon than in the dazzling splendour 

 which lit it up during the day ; but across on the 

 opposite bank the trees which fringed its sides stood 

 out black and heavy as a wall of rock. 



" What a glorious night ! " exclaimed Alick, as 

 the scene first burst upon him. " Look, Frank, 

 away over there where the river runs into the 

 Firth ; that bit of it you see by the farthest corner 

 gleams like a sheet of pure silver, and the Inch-na- 

 coul hills look as if they were touched with hoar- 

 frost. Isn't it pretty ? and what a night for us ! 

 Come on, Hugh and Sandy there, let's be getting 

 to work, but warm the cockles of your heart first 

 with a drop of whisky. Here, try my flask, Hugh. 

 That's right — the same to you, thanks, and good 

 luck to us both," as the forester drank his young 

 master's health ; " and I think I shall stay about 

 here with Mr Frank, if you will go a little lower 

 down and post the boys, and tell them to keep 

 a sharp look-out, and mind and ' holloa ' in time ; 

 and I say, Donald there, don't you be giving us any 



