282 CANADIAN TURF EECOLLECTIONS 



"With a mighty bound the chap headed for the place of 

 exit and, waiting for nothing, he burst through the cur- 

 tain, breaking fastenings like cobwebs, never stopping 

 until Ee reached the shore of the lake fifty yards away, 

 where he jumped into one of the boats and swore he would 

 row to the nearest farm-house and hire a wagon in which 

 to reach the village. Gently and soothingly we talked 

 with him, kindly hands were ready to help him pack his 

 duds, willing muscle rowed him over the bay to the 

 farmer's house, and as the rattle of the wheels that bore 

 him away sounded o'er the waters, we returned our cor- 

 dial thanks to Mr. Snake for the noble service he had 

 rendered us. When you are aflflicted with a bore in camp 

 find out if he's afraid of snakes. 



But to thoroughly enjoy such a trip as ours you must 

 be well provided with the right kind of guides, and in 

 this respect we were wonderfully well served. Ours had 

 an extended reputation and proved himself a thoroughly 

 good man. His assistants were two of the most obliging 

 and best workers that I ever hired. Thoroughly sober 

 men and keen hunters, always ready when wanted and 

 no labor was considered too great by either if by under- 

 taking it they thought they could add to the enjoyment 

 of the party. To see them elevate a canoe to their shoul- 

 ders and climb a rock at an elevation of 45 degrees to 

 make the portage to another lake, was a revelation, and 

 the whole work was accomplished without any fuss, in a 

 matter-of-fact way that added to the party's appreciation 

 of their services and around camp they were as willing 

 workers as in the woods or at the paddle. 



