TKOUT-FrSIITNC4. 45 



"but I never feel quite as if I was in the woods, for good, 

 and my camp life had actually begun, until I and my 

 party are left alone. — Well, now boys! who's going a-lish- 

 ingV Don't all speak at once, for it's one of the cardinal 

 virtues, in the woods, not to catch any more trout than can 

 be used. Lot's of sport and no waste." 



"Not I, to-day, "said Thompson; "this camp isn't quite in 

 shipshape yet, and I propose to get it into lirst-rate living- 

 order before I try the fishing. But, mind! when I do start 

 in, you fellows might as well unjoint your rods, — 1 shall 

 put you all to everlasting shame and confusion!" 



"Oh, the modesty of the man!" exclaimed the Profes- 

 sor; Benson adding, aside, — ^"but he isn't so ver}^ wide of 

 the mark, though. That's always his way in camp,— -fussing, 

 and fussing, fixing up all the little coinn'niences, until 

 everything is in apple-pie order, and then he starts into the 

 fishing with a will." 



It resulted in our all going out upon the lake but Thomp 

 son. At the proper point, our two boats were brought to 

 anchor and we began fishing with bait, and very sucess- 

 fidly. The trout averaged about half a pound, few of 

 them weighing over three-fourths of a pound. Jufst as is 

 always likely to happen in bait-fishing, I, the least experi- 

 enced fisherman of the four, took the largest trout caught 

 that day. I was happy enough, even with l)ait-iishitig, at 

 the time, for I knew of nothing better; and, for the sake 

 of that memory, 1 do not care to speak disparagingl}' 

 of the humble angle-worm as a lure. But I must add that^ 



when afterwards I learned with moderate skill to wield the 

 2 



