132 FLY-FISHING IN MAINE LAKES. 



time, rarely misses. It would make you open your 

 eyes to see her handle a rifle ; got a natural instinct 

 for shooting." 



" Well, I swow ! Can she fish ? " 



"Fish? you ought to see her: that's her best 

 hold. Why, she can paddle a canoe, strike a trout, 

 and net him, all at the same time." 



" I reckon some of our fellers would just like to 

 see her." 



" Yes, but you should hear her sing and play the 

 flute, and talk eleven different languages : then- you 

 would begin to think she knew something." And 

 so I went on like a villain, while his jaw dropped, 

 and his eyes rolled in wonder, until I began to 

 "eel that the earth might open and swallow me. 



After a while even this choice amusement failed 

 to amuse, and we plodded along in silence, up hill 

 and down, I quieting my conscience by the thought 

 that he couldn't possibly believe my Munchau- 

 sens j but I am afraid he did, for when at last the 

 dismal ride and walk had come to an end, and our 

 fares were to be paid, he pointed to the heroine 

 of rod, rifle, and rein, and said with an air of pro- 

 found veneration, 



" I sha'n't take nothin' for her." 



Then my conscience smote me so hard that I 

 insisted on full payment, and, as I bid the youth 



