CHAPTER I 



INTMODUCTION 



Itl*!*'-^* 





INDIANS GATHERING WILD RICE, N. MINNESOTA 



HE home of primeval man was 

 by the waterside. The springs 

 quenched his thirst. The bays 

 afforded his most dependable 

 supply of animal food. Stream- 

 haunting, furbearing animals 

 furnished his clothing. The 

 rivers were his highways. Water 

 sports were a large part of his recreation; and the 

 glorious beauty of mirroring surfaces and green flower- 

 decked shores were the manna of his simple soul. 



The circumstances of modern life have largely 

 removed mankind from the waterside, and common 

 needs have found other sources of supply; but the 



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