My Record Muskallunge 279 



and so nicely modeled that it is a thing of beauty, graceful, 

 buoyant, on the water. It is just long enough to hold three 

 persons; wide of beam, a good sea boat for the St. Law- 

 rence, yet so light that one can easily haul it ashore, and 

 with such perfect lines that a woman can row it. In the 

 stern is a cane-seat chair, which revolves if one wishes; 

 opposite it another, your companion and you facing each 

 other. Your feet rest upon a rug of Brussels carpet, and 

 the boat is so immaculate that it would seem a mortal sin to 

 land a fish in it. 



Behind the midship angler sits the boatman, who knows 

 where all the bass are stationed on this happy river ; who is 

 to row you to all the famous rocks for thirty miles along 

 shore, entertain you, bait your hook, discuss all questions 

 pertaining to the river, if desired, and at one o'clock sharp, 

 on some fair island, cook and serve a fish dinner fit for the 

 gods. This very prodigy is behind you and he laughs and 

 says, " Yes, sir," when you ask, " Plenty of fish. Bill ? " 

 Then you remind him of that big catch you made, and work 

 in that same old bass story, now so mature and so large 

 that Bill looks a little grave at the number of pounds; but 

 he recalls it when he lights one of your cigars, and assures 

 your companion that it zvas a great fish, in fact, a " corker." 



Bill sits on a low, broad seat beneath which is a drawer, 

 that, when pulled out, is seen to be Hned with a rubber bag 

 which can be taken out and washed. In this receptacle are 

 stowed the fish as soon as caught. In front of him is a box 

 of tackle, and on the side an extra split bamboo or two, a 

 landing-net, and a gaff for the mighty muskallunge. For- 

 ward a galvanized minnow pail, two canvas seats well 

 folded, and well up forward, carefully covered, the lunch. 

 Such is your fishing boat, as dainty a craft as floats. 



Bill's face is protected by a Canadian straw sombrero that 

 never paid duty, decorated with a number of bass flies, with 

 a flavor of last year's bait. Once well out from the landing 

 you join the new split bamboo, reave the silken line, and 



