and the Maritime Provinces. 59 



" I suppose, Hiram," said the Judge, " that the river is rather low for 

 us to descend in the canoes at present." 



" Yes," replied the guide, " taking in the tents and all the supplies 

 we '11 be well loaded, and there 's some pretty wicked rapids below in low 

 water ; we '11 have rain in a few days, sure, and it will not only rise the 

 river so we can get down easy and comfortable like, but it will start the 

 saumon." 



"We might try two or three of the pools below the falls," added Will- 

 iam, " there 's may be a chance fish or two in them." 



" Well, we '11 give them a try, anyway," said the Doctor, " and I, for 

 one, should like to stop here for awhile ; we have an abundance of time, 

 and this is an ideal camping place." 



" Yes, Doctor," said I, " it is a favorite spot with me, also ; I propose 

 to let the Judge have the pools to-day while you and I go up the lake for 

 trout ; we '11 find some good ones at the mouth of the ' Big brook ' and a 

 trip up there will be delightful." 



" Agreed," replied the Doctor, and in a short time Hiram, the Doctor 

 and I embarked in one of the canoes, taking our light rods — for who 

 would kill a brook trout with a salmon rod — and a landing net, and gaff, 

 which Hiram prudently placed in the canoe, remarking, as he did so, that 

 " A gaff is always handy, along, even if it is not needed ; one never knows 

 when he may want it." 



Wishing the Judge " good luck " we were soon on our way up the lake, 

 Hiram and I wielding the paddles. How I enjoy the canoe and how 

 keenly I love to ply the paddle ! Half the enjoyment of my outings lies in 

 such employment, gliding over the bosom of the placid forest lake in the 

 buoyant craft which has never been surpassed, in model, by the handiwork 

 of civilized man. 



The forest, the fleeting golden clouds, the distant mountains are all 

 beautifully mirrored, and one seems almost to be floating on air. The 

 mists on the lake were soon dispelled by the rays of the sun and nothing 

 marred the beauties of the scene. 



" This is solid comfort," exclaimed the Doctor, who was enjoying his 

 pipe as he sat in the middle of the canoe. " If there is any pleasure that 

 matches this I have yet to find it." 



" You 'd tire of it, sir," said Hiram, " if you had nothing else." 



" Perhaps," replied the Doctor, " but I never yet had enough of it." 



" Had n't we better stop at the ' Sunken Ledges ' " ? asked Hiram ; 

 " there should be some trout there, and they '11 come to the fly, no trouble " 

 (no doubt). 



The " Sunken Ledges " was a group of bowlders and rocks, perhaps 

 caps of ledges extending for an eighth of a mile in the middle of the lake, 



