GUIDES. 35 



is worth two who are fifty and egotistical. The 

 worst sight I ever saw in the woods, the exhibi- 

 tion which stirred me most, was the spectacle of a 

 fat, lazy lout of a guide lying on his stomach, read- 

 ing a dime novel, while the gentleman who hired 

 him was building " smudges." If he had been 

 my guide, I would have smudged him ! The " wit- 

 ty," " talkative," and " lazy guide " are the three 

 hindrances to a party's happiness. If you find 

 yourself or party burdened with either species, 

 admonish kindly but firmly ; and if this mild appli- 

 cation wiU not suffice, turn him mercilessly adrift, 

 and post him hy name on your way out, at every 

 camp and hotel, as an imposition and a pest. 

 Make an example of one or two, and the rest would 

 take the hint. Every respectable and worthy 

 guide wiU thank you for it, and your conscience 

 will have peace as over a duty fulfilled. 



For the most part the " independent guides " 

 are models of skill, energy, and faithfulness. I 

 say "independent," to distinguish the class so 

 called from another class yclept " hotel guides." 

 The difference between the two classes is this : 

 the " hotel guides " are paid so much per month 

 by the hotel-keepers, and by them furnished to 

 their boarders and such as come unprovided. This 

 system is faulty in many respects. The " hotel 

 guide " is not responsible to the party for its suc- 

 cess, and therefore is not quickened to make his 



