28 THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



with great dexterity. The day passed on ; many halts were 

 made to rest the team, and during one of these the Scribe 

 went a short distance into the woods, where he shot a pair 

 of wild pigeons and soon returned with them to the wagon. 

 We reached Baysville about one hour before sunset: the 

 canoes were promptly placed in the water and found to be 

 leaking badly ; but there was now no time for repairs, for 

 we were anxious to reach our destination as soon as pos- 

 sible in order to make ready for spending the night on a 

 point of land near where the river comes to the lake. 

 I have already said that the canoes were leaking badly, 

 but this gives the reader an entirely inadequate idea of 

 their true condition. They were certainly unfit for service, 

 — old, broken, rotten birch structures. The guides pro- 

 portioned the luggage to the supposed carrying capacity 

 of the frail barks : guns, dogs, rods, and blankets were 

 placed in position, and then we were told to seat ourselves, 

 each in the stern and on the bottom of the canoe which 

 had been previously assigned to us. It should be under- 

 stood that each gentleman in the party was provided with 

 a separate canoe, which was managed by an individual 

 guide. Frank had charge of the vessel carrying the Gov- 

 ernor, Jim was with Esculapius, and John paddled for the 

 Scribe. 



Prior to taking our departure from Baysville each gen- 

 tleman in the party had been provided with a dish for the 

 purpose of dipping out the water which found its way into 

 these leaky vessels. It was found, however, impossible to 

 keep them afloat more than a few moments at any time 

 even by the most energetic action on our part. The 



