216 GUN", ROD, AND SADDLE. 



the ground, the others were found distributed. As 

 they had been down for nearly two months, whatever 

 had been captured was found in a decomposed state. 

 Soon the whole had been gathered, over a dozen, 

 when we descended to a stream literally alive with 

 fish ; trout of all sizes up to a pound, appeared to be 

 actually crowding each other, while our presence by 

 them was totally disregarded. Lunch-time had ar- 

 rived, and on the margin of the brook we enjoyed our 

 meal ; several of the trout which my companion had 

 taken with the most primitive tackle, and rod cut from 

 the nearest tree, forming no inconsiderable portion of 

 the meal. 



After a smoke and half hour's dawdle, we started 

 on our return, following an entirely different route, 

 still equally disadvantageous for rapid progression. 

 During our homeward tramp I learned that martens 

 could only be taken on the highest ridges, and that the 

 bait used was either a red squirrel, the beautiful little 

 cedar-bird, or the heart or liver of the American hare. 

 I was not a little surprised at the number of times my 

 companion halted to inquire if my gun was all right, 

 more especially as so far we had seen no indications 

 of large game, excepting some broken-up stumps, 

 moved logs, or scratched trees where Bruin long since 



