IN THE NORTH WOODS 59 



make a disn for the adequate description of which 

 words are impotent. Of course, the smaller trout 

 were chosen for the mid-day meal, not alone that 

 the catch might look better when exhibited that 

 night, but because they tasted better than the larger 

 ones. How many did we eat ? Ask the Doctor ! 

 Who should understand the proper amount of food 

 to be taken into the stomach at a single meal, if not 

 one of his profession? 



An hour or so for luncheon and chatting, and 

 then into the stream again and on our way towards 

 its mouth. The creels were getting heavy, and the 

 Doctor decided to take a short cut for the lake 

 shore. Just before starting, the two were stand- 

 ing near together fishing a pool, when the Doctor, 

 taking a forward step, slipped on a smooth stone 

 and began falling. The process was the most slow, 

 deliberate, and altogether comical the Preacher 

 ever witnessed. As he began losing his balance 

 and tipping over backwards, he made frantic 

 efforts to regain his poise. Both hands waving in 

 the air, one clutching his rod, eyes popping out of 

 his head, a look of mingled surprise and disgust 

 illuminating his manly face, the final, mighty splash 

 as the stream yielded to the impact of his body, 

 formed a most delightful picture for his sympa- 

 thetic and sorrowing comrade. Strangely enough, 

 the Doctor could not see the humour of the situa- 

 tion, and if he should ever deign to read this 

 truthful record it is doubtful if he cracks a smile. 



