OUR CABIN ON THE BIG MARSH. 145 



pond. Arriving at the head of the pond we pro- 

 ceeded up the Brook about a mile, or as far as it 

 is navigable for canoes during low water. Here we 

 cached our supplies, each hunter carrying in his pack 

 about twenty-five pounds besides his gun, the guide 

 and carriers taking the stove and one package of 

 supplies, besides our personal baggage, bedding, etc. 

 Neither the guide nor carriers took guns, as the hun- 

 ters are supposed to do all the shooting. The trail was 

 good, with but two or three short hills until we ar- 

 rived at the foot of the Big Marsh, some three miles 

 from camp. This was laborious tramping, as without a 

 load an ordinary sized man would sink to the ankles 

 in the ooze at every step. During the whole day we 

 made short marches of a mile and a half or two miles, 

 when a halt would be made ; and half a dozen times 

 during the journey the natives would "bile the kit- 

 tle," as they call making tea. Give a Newfound- 

 lander his choice between plenty of grub and no tea 

 and tobacco, or tea and tobacco and no grub, and it 

 would take him but a moment to decide in favor of 

 the tea and tobacco. We arrived at 



OUR CABIN ON THE BIG MARSH 



just before sundown, giving us ample time to prepare 

 supper, add fresh boughs to the sleeping apartment, 



