PONTINALIS 



the problem in this way than to be guid- 

 ed to a spot and bidden to cast there. 



When the tents were up and all was 

 snug we set forth pursued by rather 

 more fervent good wishes than usual. 

 "Bonne chance" was to-day something 

 beyond an expression of polite desire 

 that les messieurs would have good 

 sport. Careful fishing at the foot of the 

 first gentle rapid yielded nothing, and a 

 good pool below this was equally barren 

 of results. When another fine stretch 

 of water had been tried without a war- 

 rantable fish being raised, we began to 

 wonder whether we were not on the 

 chase of such a phantom as had lured 

 us into the wilds on many another occa- 

 sion. As food must be had, it was re- 

 solved that we should part company, 

 and that the occupants of the first canoe 

 should try for a shot at moose, caribou 

 or bear. There were many fresh tracks 

 of these animals; it was plainly their 

 habit to range along the banks and cross 



62 



