ADVICE FOR SPORTSMEN. 333 
pedestrian, we would recommend your feet as the most 
enjoyable and natural method of gaining the portage where 
the Upper Androscoggin has to be crossed; but as you may 
not be experienced in woodcraft and all the sciences that 
teach the solitary hunter to surely follow a blazed path, 
procure the services of Collins, an agreeable and obliging 
man, to perform the duty of guide; and if he still possess- 
es his noble dog, the jaunt might possibly be diversified by 
the treeing of a bear, for Mr. Bruin here roams at large, 
undisputed master of a gigantic demesne. At the same 
time, care must be taken to ascertain that a boat is avail- 
able to transport you across the river, for thus carly in the 
season the water will be found too high and too cold for 
fording or swimming. 
But if previous confinement and sedentary habits have 
relaxed the muscles and made the feet tender, get Mr. 
Frost to negotiate for the services of the steamboat,* taking 
care that a direct understanding as to charge is made before 
embarking. In fact, go not to the dam—do nothing till you 
are certain what will be the cost; for once you are caught 
sleeping, if away from Mr. Frost’s protecting influence, you 
may, on awakening, find your molars gone, or your strength, 
if it consists in the length of your purse. To be forewarned 
is to be forearmed, and now, if you fall into the snare, blame 
not the writer. 
The voyage by water, distance fourteen or fifteen miles, 
is charming. After leaving the place of embarkation, you 
proceed about two miles down the Cambridge, which is 
here dead and sluggish,t till you reach the entrance to 
Lake Umbagog, when your vessel’s prow is pointed for dis- 
* By what other name to designate this extraordinary piece of mechan- 
ism I know not; but be advised while on board always to keep the wood 
bunkers between you and the boiler. 
+ Once a favorite haunt of moose. 
