BIRCH BROWSINGS 179 
over the centre of it, keeping watch and ward. If 
an intruder approached, they would dart at him 
spitefully. These fish have the air of bantam cocks, 
and, with their sharp, prickly fins and spines and 
scaly sides, must be ugly customers in a hand-to- 
hand encounter with other finny warriors. To a 
hungry man they look about as unpromising as hem- 
lock slivers, so thorny and thin are they; yet there 
is sweet meat in them, as we found that day. 
Much refreshed, I set out with the sun low in 
the west to explore the outlet of the lake and try 
for trout there, while my companions made further 
trials in the lake itself. The outlet, as is usual 
in bodies of water of this kind, was very gentle and 
private. The stream, six or eight feet wide, flowed 
silently and evenly along for a distance of three or 
four rods, when it suddenly, as if conscious of its 
freedom, took a leap down some rocks. Thence, as 
far as I followed it, its descent was very rapid 
through a continuous succession of brief falls like 
so many steps down the mountain. Its appearance 
promised more trout than I found, though I re- 
turned to camp with a very respectable string. 
Toward sunset I went round to explore the inlet, 
and found that as usual the stream wound leisurely 
through marshy ground. The water being much 
colder than in the outlet, the trout were more plen- 
tiful. As I was picking my way over the miry , 
ground and through the rank growths, a ruffed | 
grouse hopped up on a fallen branch a few paces 
before me, and, jerking his tail, threatened to take } 
