254 Tue Aroostook Woops. 

force, and requires care, a little sleight of hand and steady, 
strong pulling at times, to aid the little lady in her proud and 
even bearing. But she is a daisy and rides the waves like a 
duck. Yet we are just now not filling our pipes or telling 
long stories. The Captain, in the stern, is frequently taking 
long, vigorous pulls as we wish to ride a wave nicely ; again a 
quick, strong dip or two with the proper twist of the paddle 
in the water, sends her right by the big bouncer that breaks 
just astern of us, sending its white spray in the air, while the 
crew in the bow is pulling ahead steadily, and occasionally, by 
curving strokes, assisting to right or left. 
And now, at last, we are leaving the large waves behind ; the 
wind is not as heavy here, the work lighter, the waves are 
growing smaller, and we head straight for our point over the 
smoother water. The wind 1s lulling and the forest breaks its 
force, so we ease up on the labor part; the Captain dips light- 
ly, yet she speeds along full faster than before. The crew 
takes advantage of this, lays aside his paddle and picks up the 
brierwood. The mouth of the river is just before us, and as 
we approach it a flock of black ducks fly up from out the flags 
upon our right, and circling well around us and far above the 
trees, lay their course straight for the lake above. 
In the quiet river, by its wide mouth, and upon its still waters 
we now slip along almost without a sound, closed in upon 
each side by thick evergreens. Here the last sight of man or 
human habitation is shut out entirely. How much later in the 
day it seems to be here; the sun is well up as yet in the west- 
ern sky, but kept mostly shut out by the dense foliage of the 
evergreens. 
Now good-bye to all cares or troubles; pains, aches, or 
sickness comes not here! What, never? Hardlyever. Well, 
