PLEASURES OF ANGLING. 27 



seem to generally acquiesce (though not without 

 grumbling) in the law as entirely within the prov- 

 ince of the government and as promotive of the 

 best good of the greatest number. That there is 

 frequent poaching, the local court records furnish 

 abundant evidence. The flambeaux and spear have 

 been too long in use and have too long afforded 

 both sport and provender to be all at once aban- 

 doned. But no mercy is shown to those who are 

 caught. A heavy fine, ranging from $5 to $50 

 and the forfeiture of the canoe with its contents, 

 are the sure penalty of those found repeating the 

 offense. The whites bear it with the meekness 

 and patience becoming the law-loving subjects of her 

 gracious majesty ; but when " Lo, the poor Indian " 

 finds himself mulcted in damages and robbed of 

 his canoe (which is at once his lumber wagon and 

 his coach-and-four) he gives vent to something more 

 emphatic if not more expressive than a sigh for the 

 good old days when he was " boss " of the conti- 

 nent. 



The prohibition, however, does not extend to 

 trout which abound in all the salmon rivers to an 

 extent which would render each one of them a dis- 

 tinct and separate paradise to the trout angler. Any 

 resident on the preserved rivers may fish for trout ; 

 and if, while thus engaged, they have the misfor- 

 tune to hook a salmon, I have never heard of an 



