138 FLY-FISHING IN MAINE LAKES. 



fisherman reposing upon the bank after a day of 

 pleasant toil is often soothed to rest by its softest 

 notes. 



If it should ever happen that Joe should read 

 this allusion, which he probably never will, for two 

 reasons ; first because he can't read, and secondly 

 being too old to learn, he would, I fear, never for- 

 give me for saying that he was a trifle lazy : such, 

 however, is the fact. I don't mean to say that he 

 would shirk any real duty ; but if he had any heavy 

 job on hand he would somenow manage to make 

 you see that it were best not to do it at all, or sug- 

 gest some plan by which a somewhat similar result 

 might be reached with less manual labor. 



It is rather amusing now, to look back and think 

 how he had his way on many of our little excur- 

 sions when I fondly supposed I was having my 

 own. 



Willing to indulge in a little " fire-water " when 

 asked, I never knew him to ask for it, or to obtain 

 it elsewhere when acting as my guide. 



Quick to take a joke, good at repartee, and 

 withal brighter than the average white man in 

 "those parts," Tomah not only fulfilled every thing 

 required of him in his position, but was always the 

 best of company. 



When in deep thought he has a habit of stroking 



