CHAPTER XXXII. 



In the summer of 1879, on my way home from a western 

 business trip, I was able, under the most pleasant auspices, 

 to gratify a long cherished desire to visit the haunts of the 

 Grayling in the Northern Wilderness of Michigan. The 

 result of various letters and telegrams was, that on a Mon- 

 day morning, July ~lst., an excellent friend of mine, of 

 Detroit, and I, found ourselves together in that goodly city, 

 planning the details of our week's vacation. 



Law, politics and public duties had so engrossed my 

 friend's time and affections that lie lacked one thing- sadly, 

 lie knew absolutely nothing about fishing. But he had 

 the true disciple's spirit, and, with becoming humility, 

 besought me to " rig him out " for the woods and the riv- 

 ers. A seniceable Hy -rod, from Mr. Long's stock, and the 

 necessary accompaniments from my own abundant supply 

 furnished him in good style as a fisherman. 



\\ i telegraphed M. S. Hart wick, hotel proprietor at 

 Grayling. Crawford County, on the bend waters of the 

 Au Sable. " Provide men and boats for two, Tuesday, 

 noon train." That evening, we proceeded by rail to Bay 

 City, and on the following morning resumed our journey 

 to Grayling, thirty five miles further north. From Bay 

 City we passed through a flat, wooded, and exceedingly 



