Salmon -Fishing. 433 



The healthful excitement as well as open air exercise enabled us 

 without ill effects to endure this three and a half hours' wetting. 



At half-past four a. m. next day, the canoe went down with the 

 fish, and I walked to Middle House, where I found Lazell in good 

 spirits over one thirty-three pound fish and other smaller ones. 



Hastily packing, we set out in our canoes for House No. 1, where 

 we took in additional fish and luggage. Running down the rapids 

 between sharp rocks, both out of the water and under its surface, 

 where all your safety depends upon the accuracy of your men's 

 knowledge, their nerve, and the strength of rather slender spruce 

 setting-poles, is quite exciting to a novice. At the word " check 

 her" from old William at the stern, young James throws his entire 

 weight suddenly upon his pole in the bow. Several times the pole 

 broke, and necessitated quick work in dropping the pieces and grasp- 

 ing a second one, which is always kept within reach in running- 

 rapids. Upon breaking a second one, in all likelihood we would 

 have got an extremely unlucky dipping. 



We reached Gaspe the same day, having made thirty -five miles 

 since half-past four a. If., and were in time to have our fish packed in 

 snow and forwarded by the afternoon steamer for Quebec. For 

 transportation, the fish are first "drawn" through the gills, then filled 

 with snow and packed two in a box. The snow is then rammed 

 solid around them until it resembles in consistency a cake of ice, and 

 the box is placed inside of a much larger one. The space between 

 the two boxes is now filled with sawdust. At Quebec, the boxes are 

 examined and refilled, if necessary, before forwarding by rail. Our fish 

 left Gaspe Thursday, were in Boston in good condition the Tuesday 

 following, and were served at the Somerset Club just a week after they 

 were killed. With ice in place of snow, the packing is usually a failure. 



Finding a letter at Gaspe inviting us to fish the Dartmouth, we 

 went over to that river on July 10th, taking horses to a place called by 

 28 



