46 THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



known deer-hunter, but I had not expected to meet such 

 a man. He remained with me in camp, I think, about two 

 or three hours, and then returned to the place that he 

 called home. The Governor and Esculapius, in accordance 

 with my expectations, returned to our camp this evening. 

 The tent is now in perfect order; the fragrant balsamic 

 odor which pervades it proclaims the presence of a couch 

 worthy to receive the body of a king. The camp-fire 

 burned brightly a few feet in front of it and lighted up 

 everything about it. The necessary amount of wood has 

 been gathered in and piled near at hand, so that this beau- 

 tiful fire, which is the charming source of light, may be 

 continued all night if desired by the campers. Our camp 

 is situated near the lake-shore. It was about nine o'clock 

 when we heard the merry sound of approaching voices. 

 Listen one moment: Jim is singing, and that sounds like 

 the Governor's happy laugh. Esculapius has discovered 

 our camp-fire ; hear his joyful shout, " Hallo there !" 

 Both John and I are on our feet, peering out on the lake, 

 it is a calm night ; it is moonlight, we can barely make 

 out in the distance the two little canoes which are ap- 

 proaching our camp. We shout back to our friends; shout 

 answers shout ; and they quickly touch the shore at our 

 feet. Behold the beautiful sight: there lay in the bottom 

 of these canoes not less than forty speckled beauties, not 

 one of which weighed less than one pound, and many 

 weighed four. We greeted each other with a hearty hand- 

 shaking. The Governor recounted to me the same even- 

 ing the pleasures of this trip, and I now participated with 

 him in the enjoyment he had felt while catching these fish. 



