16 OUT TO LAKE ILE A LA CROSSE 



logging trail that terminated at the landing on 

 the south-east shore of Crooked Lake. The trail 

 to the Lake was very wet and heavy owing to 

 the spring thaw, and the teamster, as he set 

 out, was very doubtful of making the journey 

 over the soft, frost-ruptured, slush-lain ground. 

 However, spring was in our blood and difficulties 

 looked small, and we started off in high spirits, 

 accompanied by the parting good wishes of a 

 small group of trappers and lumbermen who had, 

 out of curiosity, collected to see the expedition 

 setting out on its long adventure. 



After a good deal of effort — indeed, after 

 having twice completely stuck deep in the mire 

 of the trail — the steaming, blown team drew up 

 at the tiny landing, and our treasured posses- 

 sions were deposited on the Lake shore. 



The morning was now advanced. 



Had we been about to enter the Garden of 

 Paradise the day could not have been more 

 perfect. The bright sun overhead shone in a 

 cloudless, soft-blue sky, the air was vibrant with 

 eager vigour and full of the promise of spring ; 

 and in our minds' eye, before us, in the path of 

 our canoe, waiting our coming, was a great fair 

 summer-garden of limitless range and promise. 

 Small wonder if the pulse quickened joyfully 

 and one inhaled with keen appreciation deep 

 breaths of the fragrant, stirring, pine-perfumed 

 air. 



We slid the frail, new, spotless canoe into the 

 water alongside the small rough-timbered land- 

 ing, and praised her every line as children would 

 a new toy, while over a " drop " from the flask 



