ADVICE FOR SPORTSMEN. 333 



pedestrian, we would recommend your feet as the most 

 enjoyable and natural method of gaining the portage where 

 the Upper Androscoggin has to be crossed ; but as you may 

 not be experienced in woodcraft and all the sciences that 

 teach the solitary hunter to surely follow a blazed path, 

 procure the services of Collins, an agreeable and obliging 

 man, to perform the duty of guide ; and if he still possess- 

 es his noble dog, the jaunt might possibly be diversified by 

 the treeing of a bear, for Mr. Bruin here roams at large, 

 undisputed master of a gigantic demesne. At the same 

 time, care must be taken to ascertain that a boat is avail- 

 able to transport you across the river, for thus early in the 

 season the water will be found too high and too cold for 

 fording or swimming. 



But if previous confinement and sedentary habits have 

 relaxed the muscles and made the feet tender, get Mr. 

 Frost to negotiate for the services of the steamboat,* taking 

 care that a direct understanding as to charge is made before 

 embarking. In fact, go not to the dam do nothing till you 

 are certain what will be the cost ; for once you are caught 

 sleeping, if away from Mr. Frost's protecting influence, you 

 may, on awakening, find your molars gone, or your strength, 

 if it consists in the length of your purse. To be forewarned 

 is to be forearmed, and now, if you fall into the snare, blame 

 not the writer. 



The voyage by water, distance fourteen or fifteen miles, 

 is charming. After leaving the place of embarkation, you 

 proceed about two miles down the Cambridge, which is 

 here dead and sluggish,f till you reach the entrance to 

 Lake Umbagog, when your vessel's prow is pointed for dis- 



* By what other name to designate this extraordinary piece of mechan- 

 ism I know not ; but be advised while on board always to keep the wood 

 bunkers between you and the boiler. 



t Once a favorite haunt of moose. 



