124 THE ST. REGIS AND SAR \NACS. 



with an ardent devotion, and was as genial, robust and 

 gentle as becomes a true disciple of the rod. He fondled 

 his rifle as if that, too, was a part of his dreaming: while he 

 was saving his hundred dollars. I did not doubt that he 

 preached and taught all the more wisely tor hi- accustomed 

 month with nature and the benignant lessons she teaches 

 her true votaries. His companion was an incipient Yale 

 Freshman, to whose youthful spirits the air of the woods 

 was like wine, without the headache. 



Our ways diverged at McCollum's, at Burnt Ground, and 

 I parted with my companions, with a powerful yearn 

 ing to accompany them to camp and enjoy with them 

 what they liad in store. It was here and now that 1 made 

 theac(|ii;iintance of McCollum and learned, from his lips, 

 his sad history of the domestic sorrow which brought him 

 hither. Vet lie was so strong and gentle, so manly in every 

 sense, that 1 felt 1 was in the presence of one who had in- 

 deed learned to suffer and In- strong." 



He sent me with his horses and driver to the Meacham 

 Lake lloii-c. whither we drove, at a break-neck speed, 

 over rocks ami stumps and roots, while 1 held to my sea! 

 in momentary expectation of a general smash as complete, 

 to all intents and purposes, as a rail road collision. But 

 horses and wagons, in the woods, all seem to be made upon 

 honor, and we went through to our destination with nothing 

 worse than a terrible shaking-up. 



The out-going party which I had hoped to intercept, had 

 gone. However, on the following day. 1 caught a ride to 

 " Woodford's" an old sportsmen's hotel in the borders of 



