28 A SUMMER BOATING TRIP 



Some people see something to pick and carp at in every 

 good that comes to them; I was thankful that I had 

 the berries, and resolutely ignored their little scal- 

 loped ruflaes, which I found pleased the eye and did 

 not disturb the palate. 



When bedtime arrived, I found undressing a little 

 awkward, my berth was so low; there was plenty of 

 room in the aisle, and the other passengers were no- 

 where to be seen, but I did not venture out. It rained 

 nearly all night, but the train made good speed, and 

 reached the land of davbreak nearly on time. The 



»■■■ »-' 



water in the river had crept up during the night to 

 within a few inches of mv boat, but I rolled over and 

 took another nap, all the same. Then I arose, had a 

 delicious bath in the sweet, swift-running current, and 

 turned my thoughts toward breakfast. The making 

 of the coffee was the only serious problem. With 

 everything soaked and a fine rain still falling, how 

 shall one build a fire ? I made my way to a little island 

 above in quest of driftwood. Before I had found the 

 wood I chanced upon another patch of delicious wild 

 strawberries, and took an appetizer of them out of 

 hand. Presently I picked up a yellow birch stick the 

 size of mv arm. The wood was decaved, but the bark 

 was perfect. I broke it in two, punched out the rotten 

 wood, and had the bark intact. The fattv or resinous 

 substance in this bark preserves it, and makes it excel- 

 lent kindling. With some seasoned twigs and a scrap 

 of paper I soon had a fire going that answered my 

 every purpose. More berries were picked while the 

 coffee was brewing, and the breakfast was a success. 

 The camper-out often finds himself in what seems 

 a distressing predicament to people seated in their 



