JOHN, "THE TALIvER." 149 



This " Jolm." who had fallen to my lot, Avas a singular 

 character. He Avas absolutely lazy and useless about camp. 

 Very likely he Avoidd have frozen and starved before he 

 woidd have cho])iH'd wood for the iiiiiht or i)rci>ared a 

 breakfast. But he was as willing and free to row all day 

 as the best of guides. The last thing at night, before going 

 to Ix'd, he Avould come to me and ask, " Don't you want 

 to try the fishing before breakfast ?" 



" Don't care if I do, John; what time shall we start?" 

 "Five o'clock, or half past, if you say so. " 

 "All right. John. Call me, and I'm on hand." 

 At the appointed minute, in the morning, I woidd feel 

 his touch and see his gesture; and creeping out of the hut 

 as stealthily as he had entered it. without wakening a man, 

 I followed him to the shore. Once in the boat he Ix^came 

 " The Talker. " In a drawling, half audible tone he slowly 

 talked on and on and on, all day long, of his hunting and 

 trapping and the wonderful alfairs of wliich he had I)een a 

 great part. His special theme, upon Avhich he delighted 

 to dwell at all times, Avas his " jtardner," the hunter Avhose 

 hut Ave Avere occupying. It did no good to interrupt him, 

 or to request him to be silent. He Avas sure to tind occasion 

 and excuse for rencAvinghis everlasting draAvl in a Ioav tone. 

 His good nature and kindne,>^s, hoAvcA'cr, totally disarmed 

 my indignation ; but mau}^ a time I stepi)e(l on shore, after 

 tAvo or three hours of this Talker's afHictive society, Avith a 

 sense of relief. I learned Avisdom from this experience, and 

 a burnt child Avould no sooner ])ut his hand on a red-hot 



