122 . NOVA SCOTIA. 



as the Adirondacks, while as for game and fish it is in every 

 way infinitely superior. Its rivers are short, but they flow 

 with full volume to the sea, and yield abundantly of salmon, 

 trout and sea-trout. Its lakes swarm with trout, and into 

 many of them the salmon ascend to spawn, and are dipped 

 and speared by the Indians in large numbers. As for the 

 forest country that lies to the north, and extends from Yar- 

 mouth, through Digby and Annapolis, into Kings, you can 

 travel a hundred miles in a north-easterly course and cross 

 but three roads. There is little angling in this tract, but 

 moose roam unmolested through it, unless perchance some 

 hardy hunter goes in winter on snow-shoes and kills them in 

 their " yards " by the score for the paltry price their hides 

 will bring. 



Civilization and settlements, following the coast-line and 

 geographical boundaries, have completely encircled this wil- 

 derness. It is easy to reach the salmon rivers of the south side 

 by the Portland steamer to Yarmouth, and thence by a 

 little steamboat that runs at intervals to Halifax, touching 

 at the intermediate seaports. Or the journey may be made 

 from Annapolis by railroad through the Annapolis valley one 

 hundred and twenty-nine miles to Halifax, and thence by 

 daily stage along the coast for one hundred and seventy-five 

 miles or more to the Jordan, Koseway and Clyde Elvers, the 

 latter being the uttermost of the series and of little account 

 as a salmon stream. The Jordan is highly spoken of, though 

 I cannot recommend it from personal trial. 



Once upon a time, say three years ago, intent upon adven- 

 ture, I determined to take a short cut from Annapolis across 

 the forest, the distance from coast to coast being about seventy- 

 six miles. Obtaining a stout wagon, into which I tossed my 

 valise, I started off upon the only highway that traverses this 

 dreary wilderness. It was nearly four o'clock in the after- 

 noon, and though the days were the longest of summer, I 

 could not hope to reach a resting-place till -after dark, and 

 did not until a twinkle in a hospitable window welcomed me 



