176 



With Rod and Gun in New England 



CHAPTER VI. 



Sunday in camp. — A tonic for delicate women. — Fresh-water 



pearl mussels. the muskrat and its habits. a chance for 



anew industry. the northern hare. all about rabbits.— 



The gray squirrel and its haunts and peculiarities. — Snow 



AS A WARM COUNTERPANE. W*E MOVE DOWN THE RIVER. An EX- 

 CITING passage of the "White Rapids." — A fight with a sal- 

 mon. — Preparations for the journey home. — Adieu. 



UIETLY I arose on the following morning and 

 left the tent. The morning sun was obscured by 

 a thick fog, but the gossamers, which glistened in 

 every direction, indicated that the day was to be 

 fair. We had breakfast later than usual, for it 

 was Sunday, and we had, in former years, adopted 

 the rule that no fishing should be done on that day. 

 The forenoon was passed in overhauling 

 tackle and fly-books, and in tidying up things gen- 

 erally. 

 After dinner the Judge regaled himself with a book, and the Doctor 

 and I took one of the canoes for a paddle around the lake. Of course we 

 proceeded leisurely, for we were out simply for recreation and for a pleasant 

 occupation of the time. The sun was shining brightly and a gentle breeze 

 swept a few delicately-tinted clouds across the sky. 



" This is a grand day, Doc," said I, " and we are enjoying ourselves 

 hugely. I never feel such pleasure elsewhere as I do in these outings." 



"Yes," he replied, "it is a great relief to get away in the woods. I 

 always advise my patients to take all the out-door life possible and as rough 

 as their systems can stand ; and it is surprising, indeed, to see how deli- 

 cate, frail women tone up in a few weeks' tent life. I tell them to ' cast 

 physic to the dogs,' and pack up a lot of old clothes and ' rough it.' Those 

 who take my advice soon learn to handle a canoe, cast a fly, and even 

 become expert with the rifle and fowling-piece. Some foolish women turn 

 up their noses at such recreations, but they have to pay, later, for their 

 indifference to the claims their bodies advance. 



" Pale, lymphatic, languid, helpless women are not fit to raise families ; 

 they need stamina, and they can best obtain it in a life such as we are 

 enjoying. But what a great number of clam-shells there are on this sandy 



