146 GUST, BOD, AND SADDLE. 



and the attendant warned the angler that time was up. 

 On joining his friends, long and vociferous were their 

 peals of laughter whenever they looked at him. 

 What the deuce was up ? On arrival at the shanty 

 all was explained. The black flies had attacked him 

 when so immersed in his sport, that they had been 

 unnoticed, or brushed off, making his countenance the 

 most extraordinary-looking mess of blood and bruised 

 flies imaginable ; but if he did not then feel the pain, 

 you may bet he did that night when warm in bed. 



Knowing that such torments exist, why did the wri- 

 ter go there ? is naturally asked, and as simply an- 

 swered, for before he started he was assured that not 

 even a mosquito was to be found in Maine. After- 

 ward it was discovered that the visit of his informant 

 had been paid to this Ultima Thule late in autumn. 

 A dozen times conclusions were come to of sloping 

 (not for Texas) in the morning ; but the attractions 

 were so great that the entire summer, even on to the 

 end of October, was got through, the last two or three 

 months so delightfully, that the self-sacrifice endured 

 in June and July was more than compensated for; and 

 never can be forgotten the beautiful weather, glorious 

 sport, and free independent life enjoyed. The State 

 of Maine being of considerably larger proportions 



