Three Weeks in Waders. 
for we are, I believe, just starting for 
the place we expect to meet our friend. 
We found Sturgeon lake quite rough 
(the St. Jo. flows through the north end 
of this lake) and, our boat being heavily 
laden, we were well satisfied when we 
found ourselves across. Leaving our 
boat on the west bank of the lake we 
started for the depot, and found, upon 
getting there, that we would have an 
hour to wait. 
‘¢ Now, Isaac,” said Drummer, ‘‘ we'll 
take in the sights of the town.” 
I looked Drummer over, from the 
top of his disreputable old straw hat, 
down his piratical face, buttonless shirt, 
faded and torn bloomers, finishing at 
his high-top boots that were turned 
down and gracefully flopping around 
his ankles, and said: 
‘‘No, dear boy, I’ll stay here and 
bail you out.”’ 
This rather rattled him, and he did 
not know whether to go or not. Final- 
ly I loaned him my coat, advised him 
to pull up his boot tops, and drawing 
him to one side (there were a great 
many standing around with watchful 
eyes upon their baggage), advised him 
how to act now that we were once more 
back in civilization, and with some 
misgivings saw him depart. My mis- 
givings were not altogether without 
foundation, for he afterwards told me 
that stopping in front of a butcher shop 
to admire some nice juicy steaks, he 
heard the butcher tell his little boy 
to run for the marshal; and he con- 
tinued—‘‘I departed with as much 
haste as my dignity allowed.” 
In due time the train pulled in and 
Scissors, after we had given him up, 
came sneaking around from the far side 
of the cars with a grin that left little to 
be seen except a large basket he was 
carrying. I was nearest and gave him 
281 
a cordial hand shake, which he stood 
quite well considering my appearance, 
although he showed a slight tendency 
to back up. But when Drummer came 
to the front he dropped his basket and 
started torun. Iwas near enough and 
caught him by the coat tail, and Drum- 
mer, instantly speaking in his ‘‘ waiter, 
another-plate-of-beans’’ voice, calmed 
his agitation, and he was saved from 
flight. 
After a sufficient time had elapsed 
for his admiration of our appearance to 
appease itself, we engaged a man to 
row us and our effects down to where 
our own boat lay in waiting. This did 
not take long and, as our boat was very 
heavily loaded, I started down the lake 
margin upon foot, agreeing to meet my 
companions at some place upon the 
river. This I did, waiting for them at 
Farrand's bridge. 
Eight or ten years ago, one or two 
short-sighted gentlemen, with a greater 
love for shooting than angling, sowed 
one or two bushels of wild rice in the 
north end of Sturgeon lake for wild 
fowl cover, and now the river for miles 
below the lake is filled with it utterly 
spoiling the fishing and the beauty of 
the stream. There is still an open 
channel through which a boat can pass, 
and we pushed steadily on with the 
intention to place our camp at the first 
conveifient place below the rice. 
About 4 o'clock we came to a good 
place, where the indications for some 
fishing looked fair, and our tents were 
soon up and supper eaten. After sup- 
per we caught a few very fine bass, and 
then, tired with our day’s work, turned 
in. Scissors distinguished himself by 
lying awake all night watching for the 
fair goddess Sleep to come along, but 
she had naught for him but slight flir- 
tations. This so disgusted him that 
