252 



THE SPORTSMAN'S PARADISE; 



by a virgin forest of hard wood, interspersed with giant 

 pines ; but it was then expected that the lumbermen would 

 soon commence their work of devastation, which will not 

 end until the whole neighborhood has been robbed of the 

 pine timber. 



The sun was shining brightly when we reached the 

 shore of this lake, and the weather was oppressively warm. 

 We, therefore, reclined on the moss which grew in great 

 abundance, even quite near the water's edge, until suffi- 

 ciently rested to begin the labor required to erect our tent 

 and perform such other duties about the camp as seemed 

 to be necessary for our comfort. Myself and son are ac- 

 companied by the captain and two other guides, conse- 

 quently the preparation of the camp is quickly effected. 

 We are now ready to start out for some fishing. My son 

 and myself were soon seated in a large, birch-bark canoe, 

 and the captain was working the paddle. We have each 

 thrown a trolling-line into the water, and the bass have 

 promptly responded to our glittering invitations. We 

 had soon captured a fine lot of these delicious fish, and 

 among them there was one large one, supposed to weigh 

 fully four pounds. 



We returned to our camp in time to have some fish 

 prepared for our evening meal. The sun disappeared 

 below the western horizon soon after we had finished our 

 supper, and the evening breeze seemed to possess just 

 those qualities best adapted to make life agreeable ; was 

 neither too warm nor too cool. This was my son's first 

 night passed under canvas, and he was perfectly charmed 

 with the new' condition of things. He slept soundly and 



