104 A MEDLEY OF SPORT 



little river, as it swept away to feed the lake, was a wide 

 stretch of fairly open woodlands. A small tract of 

 boggy ground interposed between the open woodlands 

 and the path along which we were travelling. This bog 

 was interspersed with thorn, willow and cedar (decidu- 

 ous) bushes, and was pent up by sallow-fringed water 



dykes, which G informed me held both duck and 



snipe a little later in the season. 



" There is our grouse and cock ground," laughingly 

 exclaimed the Canadian, making a circular sweep with 

 his hand, as though every acre of the surrounding territory 

 were his, whereas every square foot of uncleared wood- 

 land and swamp for many miles round was Government 

 property. . " We will follow the course of the creek 

 [river] until we reach the big cedar swamp. Take the 

 inside beat, and look out for a wood-duck or green- 

 wing," added he. 



The almost untrodden banks of the stream were 

 carpeted with luxuriant growths of feathery ferns, 

 bracken, and a beautiful fernlike plant, misnamed giant 

 maidenhair, while tall reeds and sedges fringed either side 

 and afforded harbourage to duck, and other kinds of 

 waterfowl. We had just entered a patch of wild 

 raspberry canes, and were enjoying the dehcately 

 flavoured fruit of the same, when the dog commenced 

 yapping round a clump of tangled undergrowth. 



" Rabbit ; get to him straight away," said G , who, 



like the good-natured fellow he was, seemed most 

 anxious to show me — a newly imported Britisher — sport. 



