52 JONES — ON THE BACKWOODS. 



its margin, was called " Whetstone lake." The southern shores 

 of this lake are clothed with a heavy growth of timber, which 

 appears to have escaped the extensive lire that raged over the 

 whole extent of the Blue mountain range. The timber is 

 composed of hemlock, spruce, maple, and birch, with an under- 

 wood of withrod, and near the water an abundance of fern of 

 two species, the larger being the well known Osmunda regalis. 

 We may here remark in passing that our Provincial maps are in 

 fault in regard to the route we took, for not a lake or river is 

 marked upon any of them in that quarter, whereas the country 

 abounds w^ith lakes and streams, some of good size. We 

 travelled as near as we could north-west from Shelburne, but 

 owing to the swamps and lakes we had to deviate at intervals. 

 The land from the district of Long island lake is very level, and 

 from what I could judge, is capable, when cleared, of extensive 

 cultivation, particularly that portion in which is comprised the 

 open savannah I have mentioned. 



Our first excursion from tlie camp at Whetstone lake led us 

 to the rocky slope of the Blue mountains, which lay in full view 

 before us, and on reaching the elevated ground, one of the 

 Indians sighted a bear which was quietly ambling along among 

 the blueberry bushes, regaling himself on the ripe and luscious 

 fruit. It was at once decided to stalk him true highland fashion, 

 and ofi" we set. The Indian, arriving within range first, sent 

 a bullet through one of his feet, as we afterwards found. 



Turning round, the fellow made right at C and myself, 



standing together some forty yards below. On he came with a 

 growling noise, and when close to us showed a fine array of 

 teeth, which we would have preferred viewing after his decease. 

 There was nothing for it, however, but to stand our ground, 

 when ' crack ' went my friend's ponderous Lancaster, and with 

 it the massive conical ball which caused poor bruin to change 

 his course, for with a bound he swerved to the right and was 

 lost in a thicket of birch and alder. Proceeding cautiouslv 

 along, we found him at last stretched out in a little hollow, and 

 a huge beast he Avas, measuring from tip to tip seven feet two 

 inches. We must here mention a curious fact which avc consi- 

 der Morthy of note. On running hurried h' along from boulder 



