258 AMERICAN GAME FISHES. 



built islets that gemmed the waters, some barely breaking 

 the placid surface of the lake, others towering precipitously 

 to dizzy heights above us. It was a very primal hour, and 

 savagedom most fitted it. The rude canoe, the dusky guide, 

 the wild scene, drew vague curtains of immeasurable distance 

 between civilization and me, and I was well content. It 

 would have been an ever-new pleasure only to have floated 

 thus, and dreamed; but as action is ever better than mere 

 contemplation, except it be on the mysteries of divine love, 

 it was fitting that our dreams should be often interrupted by 

 the leap of the whirling spoon, and the sudden arch and 

 spring of the rod, that tell of an unwilling captive, struggling 

 to be set free. And then the contest — how it waged from 

 side to side, now here, now yonder, never in doubt, thanks to 

 the consummate skill of Indian-born Louis, and the trusty 

 fibers that linked the angler to his prey, yet always attended 

 with such delightful uncertainty as made its attractions only 

 more piquant and fascinating. Mystery surrounded the cap- 

 tive's every movement. No glimpse of him was seen; only 

 the tense line, and the swaying boat, and the springing rod, 

 showed how and where the fight was being waged, until at 

 last, one by one, the beautiful cold Trout were brought to gaff 

 and the ultima thiile of all good fish, the angler's "string," 

 by the combined efforts of Louis and myself. The results 

 were not stupendous, since the largest fish weighed only 

 nine or ten pounds, but what need had we of more.'* Our 

 wants were fully met, and we had had a witching day. Its 

 fragrant memory lingers yet with me, and I joy in recalling 

 its incidents. Five long years have passed since then, and 

 other scenes of action far more varied have followed; yet 

 still my heart goes back with strong desire to those countless 

 islands of the deep, and lofty, verdure-topped heights of 

 inaccessible rock, and I would fain be there again, to float 

 and dream, and dream and float, and lead the lotus-eater's 

 life of ease. 



