12 SALMON FISHING IN CANADA. 



satisfied with such abundant and unexpected sport, 1 went 



on filling the pockets of my jacket, until their weight 



became unpleasant, and the waning light warned me to 



expedite my progress towards my quarters for the night. 



Having passed a considerable portion of the river without 



fishing, the path led through some It.w and rich meadows, 



along which I wearily strayed, now and then throwing my 



fly into an inviting pool, unwilling to give up the sport, 



yet conscious that I ought to seek fuod and repose : when 



just as the dimness of twilight silently settled upon 



mountain and valley, and blending roads and rivers, trees 



and rocks into one dull hue, the path approached the 



river's edge where its waters having hurried down a short 



sharp rapid w^ere gathered into a circular basin in which 



they eddied round and roinid in concentric circles except 



close to the l:)ank on which I stood, whence they were 



carried forward by a mijderate current. Into the still 



water at the far side of this current, I deftly dropped my 



fly, letting the water carry it round towards me, when 



suddenly I found an enormous weight upon the end of my 



line ; immediately I gave the butt and woimd up, until I 



felt, for I could not see, the loojJ of my casting line grate 



against the ring on the top of my rod. I peered into the 



water with all my eyes, but nothing could I discern, except 



floating bubbles and a dim reflection of the clouds and 



trees. In vain I raised my hand and rod, endeavoming to 



move the object of my anxiety; but I might as well have 



