658 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



over this wild and rough-hewn path on a rude buck-board arrangement, is 

 quite another affair. 



However, the faithful and highly intelligent old mare to whom is almost 

 entirely intrusted this mission, accomplished her arduous task with gTeat 

 credit to herself, and I have no just grounds for complaint against her, 

 although I had sundry bottles of pickles, fish-sauce, and stomach-bitters 

 stowed away in the depths of a capacious travelling-bag. 



I wish I could say as much for the owner of this sagacious animal ; but 

 I cannot, in justice to my brother anglers, do it. Mr. Rich, the proprie- 

 tor of the *' Angler's Retreat," and the self-appointed exclusive purveyor 

 for all the goods and chattels in transitu over the carry, had, in a 

 moment of mental obliteration, neglected to take any precautions against 

 the possible contingency of a storm in this mountain path. The conse- 

 quences following in the wake of this shameful want of ordinary forethought 

 on his part, were of serious import to our party, as the whole of our luggage 

 was exposed for several hours to a pitiless storm of rain and sleet, without 

 a particle of covering of any description to protect it. 



The buck-wagon broke down on the journey over the carry, and was 

 thereby detained on the route till after 10 o'clock at night. Our traps, 

 being thus given up to the fury of the elements for so long a time, were 

 necessarily delivered to us in a most shocking condition of humectation 

 and congelation. All of which, as well as these strictures upon our host, 

 might have been avoided by the purchase of a few yards of tarpauling or 

 oiled duck, and which I respectfully recommend him to do before the 

 opening of another season. 



About halfway over the carry we stopped at a camp occupied by several 

 gentlemen from Boston, who treated us very courteously. This party had 

 been fishing in the Rapid River principally, for two weeks, but did not 

 boast of much success in their catch, though some of them were skilful 

 anglers. 



We killed some ruffed grouse while crossing the carry, and saw some 

 spruce grouse, the Canada Canadensis. We did not leave the path to hunt 

 these birds, but shot at those alone, that were feeding on the road. In the 

 summer season the spruce grouse are very plentiful in this region, and are 

 astonishingly tame. Mr. Clement S. Phillips, a gentleman well known in 

 our (.ity for his devotion to the " gun and rod," informed me that while at 

 Riclj's last August, he killed fifteen of these birds within stone's-throw 

 of the Camp. The plumage of the spruce grouse is very beautifully varie- 

 gated, and the flesh excellent for the table. 



