ff into deep water, and made a fresh dash for liberty.

There was a steady draw of the line, though, and Tavish waded slowly
more in-shore.

"That will do it, Tavvy," shouted Kenneth, as the fish was drawn very
close to the rock upon which he stood. "No, he's off again."

"Ay, she's a gran' fush," cried the forester; "and she wouldna lose her
noo for fifty pun'."

Away went the salmon, taking out more line than ever this time, the
water dripping like a shower of diamonds from the keeper's fingers, as
the fine silk plait ran through his hands.

"Can ye set any more free, Scood?" he cried.

"Na; it's a' of a tangly twiss," cried Scood.

"Then we'll hae her the noo. Leuk oot, Maister Ken. She's coming
richt."

Tavish steadily drew in the line, and this time the salmon came well
within Kenneth's reach.

Max, in spite of his chilly sensations, sat watching intently, the
excitement gaining upon him, and, in the midst of a breathless pause,
Kenneth was seen to bend a little lower with outstretched hands, to
straighten himself suddenly, and then step down into the shallow water
and run splashing ashore, dragging after him a glistening salmon right
up on to the rugged, grassy shore, where the silvery prize made a few
spasmodic leaps, and then lay shining in the sun.

"Hooray!" shouted Kenneth, waving the gaff.

"Hey, hey, hey!" roared Scood, dancing about in the water and splashing
Max.

"Hey hi!" roared Tavish, wading toward the rock where Max was seated.
"She's a gran' fush, and she wouldna ha' lost her for twa hundert pun'.
There, laddie," he continued, as he reached Max, "ye heukit her
wunnerful; and ye've caught the gran'est fush this year. She's
twa-an'-twenty pun'. Come along."

"How shall I get ashore?" said Max, with a shiver.

"Stan' up, laddie, and get on my pack. Nivver mind a drap o' watter.
Maister Ken there's got the whusky, and we'll christen ta fush and troon
a' ta colds in ta old kintra."

Max hesitated for a moment, and then, with some assistance, stood up,
and let himself be drawn on to the Highlander's back.

"I shall make you so wet," he said apologetically.

"Ant ta whusky'll mak' us poth try," cried Tavish, laughing. "Why,
ye're tied up in a knot, laddie, and ye've proke ta pest rod; and pring
it along, Scoody lad, and ton't get ta line roond ta stanes."

"I'm very sorry I broke the rod," said Max apologetically again.

"Nivver mind ta rod; it's her nainsel' as can ment any