66 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



saloon, for even in the far north the August sun is too warm 

 for comfort. 



Steadily to the south the steamer swiftly forced her way, 

 leaving a long trail of smoke behind her that hung low over 

 the water. Then there came a ripple on the water — a faint 

 breath from the snow-clad mountains in the north — and the 

 air grew strangely chill. The passengers sought their wraps, 

 and soon the bow of the steamer was crowded, all intently 

 admiring the beautiful scenery about them. And a fairer 

 scene was never witnessed on the earth. On either side of 

 the gulf rose a rugged line of snow-capped mountains. These 

 seen in the light of the setting sun seemed to be vast piles 

 of silver. In front rose from the water, like shadowy banks of 

 clouds, San Juan Archipelago, and high above the land, with 

 the Alpen glow shining on its bald top, rose Mount Constitu- 

 tion. As the steamer drew nearer, the islands assumed form, 

 and the rough, craggy ledges of the shore could be distinctly 

 seen, crowned with scattering trees of scraggy fir. The old 

 tourist at the angler's side viewed them with astonishment, 

 and said: "Nothing so grand on the coasts of Scotland or 

 Norway!" 



It cannot be that Captain De Wolf is going to ground his 

 steamer.' He is heading directly for a point on one of the 

 islands. Then comes a jingle on the slow bell — the steamer 

 moves slower; then a clang on the gong, and her wheels cease 

 to move. Such is the depth of water among these islands that 

 the prow of the great steamer almost touches the rocky shore. 

 A boat is launched, and a lady and a little boy, accompanied 

 by a miscellaneous assortment of camp dunnage, is set ashore. 

 A moment later a splendid Hyda canoe is thrust out of the 

 gang-way. The angler enters it, and with one stroke of his 

 paddle is ashore. But he has forgotten something. "Throw 

 the dogs overboard. Captain!" he shouts; but the captain evi- 

 dently has ideas of his own, for he sends ihem on shore in the 

 boat. As soon as the boat returns it is hoisted in the gang- 



