2 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



genitors ; while the clear, sparkling waters are well 

 stocked with, the voracious muscalonge and the active 

 impetuous black bass. But he who is desirous of 

 visiting this elysium in pursuit of game must be no 

 feather-bed sportsman no grumbler at imaginary 

 troubles, or shirker of hard work ; for, once he leaves 

 the edge of civilisation, no roof- tree will be found to 

 greet the eye after a hard day's tramp, no luxurious 

 downy couch on which to rest his wearied limbs, but, 

 often unprotected, he must submit to the pelting of the 

 pitiless storm. No ; he must^ accept mother earth 

 for his bed, his hunting blanket for his covering, the 

 heavens for his canopy, and if fortune should favour 

 him with a touch of a north-easter the leeward of his 

 reversed canoe will give him such shelter as will enable 

 him to keep dry perhaps thirty minutes longer. Know- 

 ing what you have to be prepared for, provided you 

 have the constitution and pluck, make a try, and I am 

 certain, on your return, you will be in ecstasies with 

 your trip, recalling with pleasure the hardships you 

 have gone through, and laughing at the little misad- 

 ventures that chequered (like clouds portending a shower 

 on a sunny day) the tenor of your path. We cannot 

 have all play. Few go through the world without an 

 occasional rub. " Variety is the spice of existence ; " 

 and without an odd contretemps we should become a very 



