SALMON FISHING IN LABRADOR. 201 



a place in the memory of the most successful angler, 

 all deserving of notice for their plucky efforts to avoid 

 their doom. But numbers have satiated my memory, 

 and their efforts, ruses, and struggles cease to occupy a 

 place in my retrospect ; for the gallant fight of the 

 salmon that you have been fortunate enough to impale 

 unless his exertions are marked by some new 

 device or specialty in the conflict lives no longer in 

 the memory than kindnesses do in that of many. 

 How many strive after a prize, use all their efforts and 

 energy to be so successful as to obtain it, and how 

 often, when successful, they throw the coveted treasure 

 on one side, as if no longer worthy of possession ! I 

 much fear that such is as often the case with the dis- 

 ciples of the gentle art, as with those who follow less 

 fascinating pleasures. 



Just as I was thinking of closing up for the night, 

 my companion shouted to me that there was a bear 

 in the water ; on looking up stream, sure enough 

 there was bruin, stemming the current and boldly 

 pushing for this side. With hasty impulse I laid my 

 rod down to grasp my rifle, but, alas ! my attendant, 

 fatigued with carrying it, and seeing small prospect of 

 its being required, had left it leaning against a rock some 

 distance off. You may well imagine my disappoint- 

 ment, for when the bear left the water he was not over 



