TORCH-FISHING. 70 



give me to accompany you, the attractions of a 

 maple forest are not sufficiently great to tempt me 

 from the fire-side at this time of the year." 



" But, my good sir, what would you say if I told 

 you that these maple forests are full of bears, 'coons, 

 'possums, squirrels, coyotes, deer, and gelinottes ? 

 And, to wind up, I can promise you good sport in 

 the way of torch-fishing." 



" That would be quite another matter." 



" What would you say if I promised you the best 

 sport in the world ? And you will be well housed in 

 the comfortable forest huts, where you'll always 

 find a capital bed of soft sweet heather, plenty 

 of good food and drink, a bright fire, and a warm 

 welcome." 



''My good sir, what you offer is so delightful, 

 that I am afraid I shall give way to the tempter." 



" Make up your mind at once, then, and be ready 

 to start with me to-morrow morning. I came here 

 to sell our whole crop to a merchant, and as I must 

 be back again at Wyaconda Bottom, I shall take off 

 to-morrow this Dissenting parson's dress — which 

 you must put on or the Yankees won't trust you — 

 put on my fur clothes and big boots, and off I go. 

 Will you go with me ? I shall be back again to 

 Chicago in a few days, and will bring you back safe 

 and sound." 



" Be it so j your invitation is so kind that I have 

 no choice but to accept. The only drawback is that 



