OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 



273 



this region, for the purpose of aiding in our search for 

 grouse. The morning had been rainy, and consequently 

 the trees, which were yet covered with a heavy foHage, 

 were still loaded with water, and, as if to add to this un- 

 favorable condition, there were several light showers 

 during the afternoon before we reached our destination, 

 which was the Nipissing and Maganetawan road. Owing 

 to the unfavorable condition of the forest there was no 

 effort made by us to procure game during the afternoon. 



This tramp was a rather dull affair, owing to the circum- 

 stances surrounding us, but the road was reached in due 

 time. "Tom" came up with the pack soon after our 

 arrival, and our attention was immediately given to the 

 erection of the tent and other preparations for the night. 

 Scarcely had these preparations been completed when a 

 heavy rain set in, which continued until daylight the fol- 

 lowing morning. "Jim" prepared the breakfast, and we 

 were ready to start on our tramp about seven o'clock in 

 the morning. The woods were very wet, and conse- 

 quently we had no intention of leaving the road unless 

 seduced into such action by the barking of the dogs, which 

 informed us of the close proximit}^ to us of the ruffed 

 grouse. Having completed our arrangements we were 

 off, leavino- the tent standing where it was erected the 

 previous evening, on the roadside, while the baggage had 

 been carefully stowed away under it. It had been pre- 

 viously arranged with the captain that he should superin- 

 tend the gathering up of the luggage and its transporta- 

 tion to Maganetawan. 



The morning of this start had been cloudy and threat- 



18 



