OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 27 



enjoyed some especial pleasures in this land, which for com- 

 plete happiness did not, however, require the use of either 

 gun or rod. 



We learned from our guides that we could reach our 

 destination either by land or water : the canoes could be 

 employed to transport us with our baggage through the 

 south branch of the Muskoka River, but it would be more 

 expeditious to take a wagon at Bracebridge, place the three 

 canoes and other impedimenta in it, drive over the rough 

 wood road to Baysville, and then take passage by the river 

 to the lake. 



The next morning found our party, with the exception 

 of the guides, fully prepared for the start at an early hour. 

 The latter were now busy in gathering in the canoes, pro- 

 visions, etc. It was probably about eleven o'clock when 

 we left the hotel. The day was pleasant, the sun shone 

 brightly ; the almost continuous cries of the blue jay were 

 the only sounds emanating from the forest. The country 

 traversed was very hilly ; large rocks were found in the 

 wood road ; deep ravines were spanned by stilted corduroy 

 bridges, which swayed from side to side as our wagon 

 passed over them. Furthermore, as if to add to the ex- 

 citement of the journey, one of the horses in the team 

 which had been hired for this occasion was both vicious and 

 balky, and seemed to enjoy kicking even better than eating. 

 The Governor, whose peculiarities have already been men- 

 tioned, seemed greatly to prefer walking to riding this day, 

 a fact that may be partially explained by informing the 

 reader that the only seat provided in the wagon was in 

 close proximity to the vicious heels, which were handled 



