220 FISHING IN AMERICAN WATERS. 



we halted for the night, saw the canoes unladen and hauled 

 on shore, a fire quickly made to keep off the flies and enable 

 us to extemporize a supper with scarcely any vessel to cook 

 in or eat out of, pitch our tent, etc. While these duties were 

 going forward, a large salmon, of over 20 Ibs. weight, leaped 

 several feet above the pool in front of our tent, and not thir- 

 ty feet from shore. As quick as thought was one of our 

 guides seen skulking along the shrubby margin of the river, 

 waiting to see the seal which was the cause of the leap of 

 the salmon. Presently the seal made its appearance in the 

 middle of the river, and in the strength of the rapid, swim- 

 ming with its head above water, and looking like a young 

 negro bathing. It turned its head and looked all around, ap- 

 parently in surprise, as if scenting danger, while approaching 

 the shore in response to the plaintive call of the man with 

 the rifle ; but the gunner was too slow on the trigger, and 

 the seal went on its way rejoicing. 



Boughs of fir, for bedding, were cut by the guides and laid 

 in our tent while we were taking supper. Our first night of 

 tenting in the wilderness was signalized by pleasant dreams, 

 and we arose early, made our toilets, and watched the salmon 

 disport in the rapids while breakfast was being prepared, 

 and canoes launched and reladen. 



After breakfast we started for our camping-ground, ten 

 miles farther up the river. The whole of this distance may 

 be properly considered a rapid, and one third the' way a very 

 dangerous one. Salmon were abundant. While many were 

 leaping above the current in the middle of the river, scores 

 were seen darting from near the shores where our guides 

 were tugging along. 



All animate nature seemed more than usually active that 

 morning. The seals were out in force and galloping up the 

 rapids. Salmon were, leaping and splashing, and even the 

 silver trout were breaking, as if to demonstrate that they too, 

 though less important, were gay and happy. 



While admiring the mountains of rock, sparsely covered 



