THE TOWN-MEETING 45 



and fry those half-dozen small trout not one 

 under half a pound and while they were cooking 

 the Preacher weighed his prizes. Hon. S. Maxi- 

 mus came within two ounces, and his friend within 

 four ounces of four pounds. Did you ever take a 

 four-pound trout, or even a three-pounder, on a 

 light rod? Then you know how self-satisfied that 

 Preacher was. 



The tent had been pitched on a little plateau some 

 fifteen feet above the river. It was nine o'clock 

 when supper was finished and the dishes washed, 

 horse picketed and everything made ready for the 

 night. The caribou skin was laid on the bed of 

 boughs, the blankets made ready for cover, and 

 George and the Preacher " retired." The camp- 

 fire shone out against the dark background of the 

 wooded hills, the river sung a lullaby, and George 

 told a story about a moose that he had killed the 

 previous winter not more than forty rods from the 

 spot where they were lying, and when the Preach- 

 er waked he was freezing. The fire had gone out, 

 it was nearly daybreak, and those blankets seemed 

 made of gauze. He had no inordinate affection 

 for George under normal conditions, but now he 

 rolled over and clasped him to his heart. George 

 seemed to have lost his fear of the Preacher, 

 and for the remainder of the night each tried 

 to use the other as a stove. Each failed of 

 absolute success. 



It is evident that the teller of this story has vio- 



