START FOE THE WOODS. 323 



guns, ammunition, axes, and four dozen steel traps. All 

 these things were packed in bags, each bag weighing 

 100 Ibs., in all eighteen packages. I hired a scow and a 

 pair of horses to tow us up a river, and bought a birch - 

 bark canoe. On the fifth day, after infinite exertion (we 

 had to load and unload at least ten times, and " portage " 

 our baggage round several dangerous rapids), we were 

 stopped by a fall, or rather a tremendous rapid. Here the 

 river flung itself over a series of ledges, and then rushed 

 foaming for a mile through a narrow rocky gorge. I now 

 discharged my primitive vehicle, and we proceeded to 

 " portage " our effects above the falls some 2 miles. Under 

 each of the ledges I have mentioned there was a smooth 

 round basin, in which the water rested itself for a few 

 moments before taking a fresh plunge. These basins were 

 literally alive with salmon and big sea trout. As we had 

 left ourselves ample time before the commencement of 

 the fur season, we were in no hurry to leave this charming 

 camping ground. I was provided with rod and tackle, 

 and enjoyed that sensation so rare in angling, of casting 

 my fly into a virgin pool. In five days, fishing only 

 mornings and evenings, I took sixteen salmon, averaging 

 20 Ibs., and about eighty sea trout, averaging 2 Ibs. 

 Besides these the Indians speared thirty salmon ; and all 

 these fish we kippered or salted for winter consumption 

 and for bait. When satiated with fish and fishing we 

 embarked in our canoe and continued our journey up 

 the river, having previously caeheed the bulk of our 

 provisions and luggage in a " bear-house," i. e. a log hut 

 made bear-proof, to resist the assaults of that robber, 

 Bruin. 



