THE "WHUSTLER" 247 



course, and was making for Ledcriech, on 

 the north shore. We followed submis- 

 sively. Ledcriech Bay is made beautiful 

 in summer by water-lilies. These were 

 not in blossom just then, so early in the 

 year ; but I dared say that below the 

 surface the stalks were in tough abun- 

 dance. What if the fish got in among 

 them ? Could we ever get him out ? I 

 had misgivings ; but I did not like to 

 mention them. Ronald was not in the 

 best of tempers. He seemed to think 

 that we were having an untoward after- 

 noon, and that I was responsible. Among 

 other misfortunes, we had no gaff aboard. 

 I felt that he was thinking of this, and 

 assuring himself that it added to the 

 certainty of the evil hour. 



Fortunately, we did not reach the 

 water-lily bay. A considerable time 

 before he could be in sight of the oppor- 

 tunity offered by its harbourage, the fish 

 was cruising down the middle of the loch. 

 It was not at all easy to keep up with 

 him. If I could have spared any 



