12 



DEARS AXD BEAVERS, 



!^) 



before ; read the history of India in proof of it, but it 

 is strange to see that birds, in their conduct, should 

 so well repeat history,, for we are told history repeats 

 itself. 



But the edge of Lake St. John has now been 

 reached. Carefully my frail canoe is placed upon the 

 water surface, where neither stone nor branch can 

 scratch its delicate sides. In it I as carefully place 

 my fishing tackle and gun, then gather a big armful 

 of cedar fronds to place under my knees when 

 paddling, all which being done, deftly I shove my 

 light craft from the shore with the end of my paddle, 

 and with low-dipped blade push for deeper waters. 



This lake was ever a favourite haunt of mine, for 

 its surface was seldom otherwise than placid, and if 

 the sun were touching the horizon, either to the east or 

 west, the shadows cast by the surrounding timber 

 were as clearly delineated upon its surface as if they 

 had been painted upon canvas. 



Not only was the outline perfect, but there was the 

 colouring as clear, as brilliant, as diversified as it 

 existed upon the margining shores. 



The day of which I speak the water was unruffled, 

 not even a ripple broke upon the beach ; the only 

 momentary disturbance of its surface was occasioned 

 by the rise or splash of maskalonge or black bass, 

 the eddyings made where a loon had dived, or the 

 tiny wavelets caused by the feet of some wary duck 

 that had taken alarm at my intrusion. 



Before the sun had reached its zenith, many a 

 gallant fish, after long and futile efforts to escape, had 

 succumbed to my skill, and lay before me in all the 

 magnificence of ever-changing hues. 



Poets sing of the dolphin's shades when in death. 

 Time after time I had admired them, but of a truth 

 they do not excel those of the black bass when in 

 extremis. In every way this is a noble and splendid 

 fish, for it is a free feeder, and when hooked, game as 



