6 A SPORTING PARADISE 



without danger. Revisiting these lakes in 1902, 

 I found all my old friends in a flourishing 

 condition log-huts had disappeared, and com- 

 fortable homes were universal, with a general 

 atmosphere of prosperity. After travelling over 

 old tracts, I journeyed with Mr. MacLaren (an 

 old Cambridge friend) to Blackstone and Crane 

 Lakes. The following, relating to Blackstone 

 Lake, is extracted from my notes, September 2nd, 

 1902 : 



" The moon was shining brightly as I emerged 

 from the bush. The trees, being very large, 

 had partially excluded the light and rendered 

 the way difficult. Now I stood on the low 

 sandy shore of a wide bay. The giant pines 

 and hemlocks cast their dark shadows upon the 

 sparkling water. Several large islands were visible 

 in the distance. The nearest island lay on the left : 

 there possibly a she-bear was guarding her cubs ; 

 the sweet odour of raspberries, huckleberries, 

 and other fruits suggested this conclusion. No 

 sound, save the croaking of bull-frogs, broke 

 the silence. Opposite to the island was a long, 

 rocky, projecting, bridge-like cape, almost reach- 

 ing to its shores. I paddled on, avoiding this 

 spot, and proceeded in the direction of a huge 



