CHAPTER XXXII. 



In the summer of 1879, on my wa}^ home from a western 

 business trip, I was a1)le, under the most pleasant auspices, 

 to gratify a long cherished desire to visit the haunts of the 

 Grayling in the Northern Wilderness of Michigan. The 

 result of various letters and telegrams was, that on a Mon- 

 day morning, July 21st., an excellent friend of mine, of 

 Detroit, and I, found ourselves together in that goodly city, 

 planning the details of our week's vacation. 



Law, politics and public duties had so engrossed my 

 friend's time and atfections that he lacked one thing sadl3^ 

 — he knew absolutely nothing about fishing. But he had 

 the true disciple's spirit, and, with becoming humility, 

 besought me to "rig him out " for the woods and the riv- 

 ers. A serviceable fly-rod, from Mr. Long's stock, and the 

 necessary accompaniments from my own abundant supply 

 furnished him in good style as a fisherman. 



We telegraphed M. S. Hartwick. hotel proprietor at 

 Grayling, Crawford Count}^ on the head waters of the 

 Au Sable, — "Provide men and boats for two, Tuesday, 

 noon train." That evening, we proceeded by rail to Baj^ 

 City, and on the following morning resumed our journey 

 to Grayliug, thirty-five miles further north. From Bay 

 City we passed through a flat, wooded, and exceedingly 



