t 



114 THE ADIRONDACK, 



through the woods down the stream, seeking in vain 

 for an opening ; until, driven to desperation, I jumped 

 in. But fly fishing with a crooked and green stick is 

 rather unsatisfactory business, and though raising 

 some twenty, I succeeded in taking only one, and he 

 of small dimensions. Just as I had got him nicely 

 stowed away in my pocket, a rifle shot — the signal to 

 return — called me back. When I reached our resting 

 place, I found my companions all in the saddle and 

 ready for departure. "What!" said I, "are you 

 going ?" " Yes, let us hurry on !" " Not I," I re- 

 plied, " till I devour this trout, for between my long 

 ride and fast, and the effort to catch him, I am on the 

 extreme limit of starvation. Come, doctor, strike me 

 a fire while I dress him." So the doctor kindled 

 a blaze, while I cut off the trout's head on a stone, 

 and spitted him on a stick, ready for roasting. A few 

 minutes in the blaze rendered him fit for my not over- 

 nice palate, and I chewed him with a vigor I had 

 never before exhibited, and when his tail finally dis- 

 appeared, I heaved a sigh like one whose days of hap- 

 piness are over. I looked around in despair, for there 

 was nothing else eatable to be seen ; so mounting 

 my steed,*! pushed on after the rest of the company. 



