ood deal in running through his hand. But all the same the winch began
to sing, as, after two or three more darts, the fish dashed off out of
the pool and down the stream.

The checking it received was greater than would have been dealt out by
an experienced fisher, and the result was that, after darting down about
forty yards, the salmon reached another pool, where, after it had sailed
round two or three times, there was a sudden cessation of movement, and
a dead weight hung at the end of the line.

"She's got the line around a stane," cried Tavish, running over the
stepping-stones, gaff in hand. "She'll lose the fush! she'll lose the
fush."

"Has it gone?" asked Max rather piteously.

"Let her tak' a grip o' the rod, my lad," said the forester; and,
catching the long supple wand from the boy's hand, he stood thinking for
a few moments winding in a few yards of the line.

"Nay, she's on safe," he cried, handing the rod back to Max.

"What shall I do now?" said Max nervously.

"She shall play ta fush till she's tired, and then she will use the
gaff."

"But I'm tired now."

"But ta fush isna tired, laddie. Wind in, and keep a tight line."

To Max's wonder, Tavish went back ashore, and ran down the bank past
Kenneth and Scood, to begin picking up big stones and hurling them right
into the middle of the pool, so as to disturb the fish, which lay
sulking at the bottom, in spite of the steady strain kept on its head.

Tavish's efforts were, however, unsuccessful, and in his excitement the
forester began to abuse the salmon, calling upon it to move.

At last, though, as Max stood upon his tiny rock island with his rod
bent, gazing wistfully down at the pool, Tavish sent in a great piece of
slaty shale, which fell with a great splash, and then began to zigzag
down through the dark water with so good a movement, that it touched the
fish on the flank and started it off once more.

"Haud up ta rod! haud up ta rod!" cried Tavish.

"Hooray, Max! you'll have it now," cried Kenneth; and all watched the
fisherman now with the greatest interest, as the salmon darted here and
there, sometimes with a good stress on the rod, often, in spite of
Tavish's adjurations, with a loose line, for when it rushed toward the
holder of the butt, Max could not be quick enough with the winch.

Now it was one side of the pool, now close in, and Max's excitement
increased till he reached fever heat, and then something happened.

The