ADVICE FOR SPORTSMEN. 337 



country excursion, we should advise your now leaving 

 civilisation and revelling in the solitude of the pathless 

 wood, where man seldom intrudes and nature remains 

 undefilecl or deformed except by the assassin hand of 

 the axeman. If you he a good pedestrian, we would 

 recommend your feet as the most enjoyable and natural 

 method of gaining the portage where the upper An- 

 droscogan has to he crossed ; but as you may not be 

 experienced in woodcraft and all the sciences that 

 teach the solitary hunter to surely follow a blazed 

 path, procure the services of Collins, an agreeable and 

 obliging man, to perform the duty of guide ; and if he 

 still possesses his noble dog, the jaunt might possibly 

 be diversified by the treeing of a bear, for Mr. Bruin 

 here roams at large, undisputed master of a gigantic 

 demesne. At the same time, care must be taken to 

 ascertain that a boat is available to transport you 

 across the river, for thus early in the season the 

 water will be found too high and too cold for fording 

 or swimming. 



But if previous confinement and sedentary habits 

 have relaxed the muscles and made the feet tender, 

 get Mr. Frost to negotiate for the services of the 

 steamboat,* taking care that a direct understanding as 

 to charge is made before embarking. In fact, go not 

 to the dam ; do nothing till you are certain what will 

 be the cost ; for once you are caught sleeping, if away 

 from Mr. Frost's protecting influence, you may, on 

 awakening, find your molars gone, or your strength, 

 if it consists in the length of your purse. To be 



* By what other name to designate this extraordinary piece of 

 mechanism I know not, but be advised while on board always to 

 keep the wood bunkers between you and the boiler. 



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