THE THOUSAND ISLES. 199 
strength, were, in some, of that dark green, almost black, 
from wliicli their name is derived; in others it was a 
light green, and again in others pale yellow. Whence 
these variations are derived, unless it be from the shade 
of the ground they live on, to which all fish are said to 
assimilate, is not known ; but it has often led to their 
being divided into distinct classes, or mistaken for other 
species. Their peculiarity of springing out of water is 
remarkable. Salmon and blue-fish do so frequently, 
trout rarely, and other fish seldom or never ; but a black 
bass of any size will invariably make one or more des- 
perate leaps. It is a glorious sight to see his full length 
above the water, and a nervous moment till the line that 
has been slacked is again taughtened by his strain. Such 
leaps are his most efi'ective means of escape, by enabling 
him to shake the hook from his mouth or strike the line 
witli his tail ; and though not so persevering as the trout, 
generally, at the sight of the net, he makes a final, dan- 
gerous rush. 
We coasted along by island after island, crossing near 
one named after " Old Bill Johnston," memorable for 
having taken an active part in the Canadian rebellion, 
and long forced to hide from his English pursuers. 
Johnston's Island, as it is called, was his favorite resort, 
where he was succored and warned of danger by his 
beautiful daughter, universally known as the Queen of 
the Isles. What a theme for the poet or the novelist : 
the father safe neither on the English shore, wliere he 
had waged unjustifiable war, nor among the Americans, 
who would have been compelled to surrender him, lurk- 
ing among those beautiful isles, then wilder and more 
