“‘Eh, O’Kelly, what the deuce was that?’ cried one of the party, as a roar of laughter broke from amongst them.
“‘Ah!’ said I, mournfully,’ I wasn’t quick enough/
“‘Quick enough!’ cried they. ‘Egad, I never saw anything like it. Why, man, you were shot off like an arrow.’
“‘Leaped off, if you please,’ said I, with an air of an offended dignity—‘leaped off—didn’t you see it?’
“‘See what?’
“‘The salmon, to be sure. A twelve-pounder, as sure as my name’s O’Kelly. He “set” it.’
“‘Set a salmon!’ shouted twenty voices in a breath. ‘The thing’s impossible.’
“‘Would you like a bet on it?’ asked I drily.
“‘No, no—damn it; no more bets; but surely——’
“‘Too provoking, after all,’ muttered I, ‘to have lost so fine a fish, and get such a ducking’; and with that I mounted my barb, and, waving my hand, wished them a good-bye, and galloped into Killaloe.