LAKE SUPERIOR. 27 



be packed in time ? You know whiskey does not 

 go as far as brandy. Are you sure you Lave 

 enough? Is there no question about that being 

 the best proportion? Would you not prefer all 

 whiskey ? In case of sickness, may we not need 

 more brandy ? What is the best mode of packing 

 it ? Is it sure to be at the boat punctually ?" 



" That is the clerk's affair ; if it is there it will be 

 paid for, and if not it won't. Let's look at the 

 town ; come," and I dragged him off just in time to 

 avoid a dozen new propositions, and as many unan- 

 swerable questions, leaving the clerk, bottle in hand, 

 looking the image of despair at the avalanche of 

 inquiries that had burst upon him. 



After strolling about for several hours we reached 

 the boat, and found the case of liquor waiting for 

 us, and proceeded to select our stateroom. This 

 matter rose at once to a serious question in Don's 

 eyes. I resolved to leave it entirely to him, confi- 

 dent that his elegant manner would impress the 

 steward. He at once devoted his entire attention 

 to it, flitting from place to place in the forward and 

 after cabins with the steward at his side, pointing 

 out defects here, suggesting changes there, popping 

 in and out of doors, describing his foreign expe- 

 riences and the prime necessity of comfortable quar- 

 ters, turning down the sheets, peering into cracks, 

 feeling the pillows, casting a suspicious eye upon 

 blankets, dissatisfied with all, and finally resolved 

 to take one which could not be examined at the 

 time for want of the key, but which the steward, 



