82 BIG GAME SHOOTING IN ALASKA chap. 



chances were reported of picking up a black bear. After a 

 matter of 40 miles by rail from Victoria, and a further 20 

 miles by road, in a bone-shaking conveyance which rejoiced 

 in the name of a stage-coach, and was drawn by a pair of 

 horses at a best pace of about 6 miles an hour, we found 

 ourselves in the comfortable but isolated little hotel on 

 Cowichan Lake. Three or four days spent partly in fishing, 

 and partly in climbing over miles of huge fallen timber and 

 up steep little mountains, resulted in the capture of one 

 rainbow trout, and the sight of a few black-tailed deer 

 which carried no horns at this time of year. On our final 

 return to Victoria we had our host's assurances that we 

 had come too early for good sport, and in this we thoroughly 

 agreed with him. But, in justice to the lake and its 

 charming surroundings, it should be stated that it can pro- 

 duce good fishing and decent shooting, in due season for 

 each. 



On the evening of April 7 we found ourselves on board 

 the steamer Bertha, outward bound from Seattle, with fine 

 weather, and a cheerful but mixed lot of passengers on board. 

 The latter were composed of a collection of mine-owners, 

 prospectors, and heads of some of the great salmon-canneries 

 situated on the Alaskan coast. Here, then, we had ample 

 material from which to furnish ourselves with the most 

 thrilling yarns of shooting, fishing, and mining exploits, and 

 of the nature and customs of Alaska as it was and as it now 

 is. It is a big country, and some of the stories were in 

 proportion to its size ! 



If the sportsman has any doubts on the subject of Alaska 

 being a marvellous country, he need only step into the 

 smoking-room on board such a ship as the Bertha and start 

 the ball rolling by putting a few leading questions, and then 



