72 LAKE SUPERIOR. 



fessor Agassiz seems to doubt that black bass in- 

 habit Lake Superior. The guides recognised him 

 at once as an old acquaintance, and called him by 

 the familiar name of achigon. 



After a hearty dinner we descended to the mouth 

 of the river for the residue of our camping articles, 

 and while returning I trolled with a small Buel's 

 spoon. Unfortunately happening to espy a duck 

 upon the water, I laid down my rod to take the 

 gun, when a black bass struck, nearly jerking the 

 rod out of the boat, and with a mad spring carried 

 off my bait and casting line, while the duck, alarmed 

 at the noise, flew away amid the confusion. 



Having landed our load, and leaving the men to 

 complete the camp, Don and myself hastened back 

 to the scene of our morning's sport to renew, and 

 even surpass, our previous enjoyment ; for after kill- 

 ing several fine fish in the strong water in splendid 

 style, I struck one of great weight in my favorite 

 pool. He soon took to the rapids, and stopping in 

 an eddy, fouled the line without escaping. In vain 

 all means were tried to clear the line without alarm- 

 ing the fish ; it had caught on the further side of a 

 large stone, and could only be reached from a rock 

 that projected its smooth, slippery surface above the 

 current at some distance from the shore. Rendered 

 desperate, and summoning all my courage, I crept 

 out into the rushing stream, and, supported by the 

 handle to the landing-net, succeeded in reaching 

 this dangerous location. 



No sooner was the line free than the fish again 



