’Beast!’ she said, between her teeth—for the fish made a desperate rush away out into the loch, with a magnificent flourish in the air as a finish. But no harm was done; indeed, it was about his last strong effort to free himself. Yard after yard of the line was got in again; his struggles to get away grew less and less vigorous; at last the old Highlander made an adventurous swoop with the clip, and was successful in landing the brilliant creature in the bottom of the boat. ’Now, Miss,’ he cried, ’leave him to me—leave him to me. Quick, get ashore, and try for the other one. And will you take the clip?’ He was greatly excited by this unusual adventure; and so was she—and breathless, moreover; but she managed to do as she was bid. She got rather wet in getting ashore; for Ronald was not there to help her; but she had no time to mind that; she made her way as rapidly as she could along the bank, and there was Ronald awaiting her, with a quiet smile on his face. ’This is better work,’ said he placidly, as he gave her the rod. She was anxious no longer; she was triumphant. Ronald was with her; of course she would get this one also. And who but Ronald would have brought such a stroke of luck to the boat? ’I would get in some of the line now,’ said he calmly. ’I have been letting him do as he liked; and he is a long way out. And mind, you’ll have to watch him; he is quite fresh; there has been no fighting at all yet.’ ’Oh, Ronald,’ she said, with the pretty pale face grown quite rosy with the excitement and the hard work, ’won’t it be just too splendid for anything if we can get them both!’ ’I hope ye may,’ he said, ’for it’s not likely to happen again in your lifetime.’ The fish now began to rebel against the new strain that was being put on him, and indulged in a variety of audacious cantrips—apparently at a considerable distance out. By this time the other boat was also ashore, and Miss Carry’s father came along to see how Ronald’s pupil could play a salmon. Just as he drew near, there was a pretty lively scrimmage going on. ’Why, you want to have them all,’ he complained. ’It is not fair sport to bag a brace of salmon right and left.’ She did not answer—in fact, she could not; she had enough to do. For now the salmon seemed wanting to get right out to the middle of the lake; and the length of line that lay between her and her enemy dragged heavily on her arms. And then he altered his tactics—coming rapidly to the surface and trying to break the suddenly slackened line by furious lashings of his tail. But all this was in vain; and now, as he seemed yielding a little, she put a heavier strain on him, and began to reel up. It was very well done, and without a word of admonition; for Ronald was proud of his pupil, and wished to show that he could leave her to herself.