LUNCH AND SLUMBER. 55 



and comment on the wonderful be;iul y that surrounded us. 

 The smudge graciously sent its tiny clouds just above our 

 heads, and spared our sentiment the mocking tears that 

 come and end in smoke. 



Then we lighted our cigars, for this was Thompson's 

 holiday, reclined on our backs, ga/.ed up when- I he 

 smoke wreaths were lloat'mg among the green leaves, and 

 were silent. Cigars linished, and fanned by the softest 

 bree/.es stealing over Hie pure water, we dropped oil' to 

 sleep, every one of us in a blissful nap, more delicious 

 than the sweetest, stolen, summer sleep in a country church 

 during a drowsy sermon. (Jood, kind wolves! most 

 excellent hear-! and <elf denying panthers' -whose I racks 

 and traces we thought we saw on the forest -ioV of us, 

 many thanks to you for that peaceful and undisturbed 

 slumber! 



The responsibilities !' -talion vex the soul of authority, 

 even in -lumber. and the ( 'aptain wakened. Our oriental 

 table and couch had wooed and lulled us for an hour and 

 a half of the noon day: and we quickly gathered up our 

 ha-kel and blankets, bestowed them and ourselves in the 

 boat, and pushed from shore. 



Down the lake we rowed again, chatting of hunter's and 

 fisherman's exploits, of the beauty and exquisite loveli- 

 ness of the scenes coming upon us gently and "with a 

 sweet surprise" at every turn, our happy thoughts and 

 reveries, when we ceased talking, keeping time and tune 

 with the sturdy and steady oar-strokes of the wiry and 

 willing guide. We hardly cared to fish, and when we did, 



