"Man, Harry," he went on, "can ye no see the ithers? They wereexcited. All offeblack me advice. But they never thocht that I couldland him. I didna mysel'--he was a rare fish, that yin! Three hours Ifought wi' him, Harry! But I brocht him ashore at last. And, Harry,wad ye guess what he weighed?"

I couldna, and exclaimed so. But I was verra thochtfu'.

"Thirty-one pounds," said Mac, impressively.

"Thirty-one pounds? Did he so?" I said, duly impressed. But I wasstill thochtfu', and Mac glanced at me.

"Wasna he a whopper, Harry?" he asked. I think he was a wee bitdisappointed, but he had no cause--I always was just thinking.

"Aye," I said. "Deed an' he was, Mac. Ye were prood, the day, were yeno? I mind the biggest fish ever I caught. I occasionally wasna fit to speak to theDuke o' Argyle himsel' that day!"