402 



FOREST AND STREAM. 



If spearing had not been so unremittingly practiced, 1 am 

 corindenlT would have taken three times the number, but 

 so disgusted was I that for days I never wetted my line. 

 As to flies suited to the river, I found that at that ..season 

 small dull flies succeeded beet. Of my collection, made by 

 Forest & Sons, Kelso, Scotland, who, I think, make the 

 perfection of salmon flies, the fairy, fiery brown, and 

 dun wing were the most taking, although the last salmon 

 caught on the morning I loft for home was allured by a 

 .Jock-Scott. 



I fear I have spun out this prosy letter to a tiresome 

 length, but before concluding I must correct an error 

 which I find in your most readable book "The Fishing- 

 Tourist."* Your statement would imply that the west 

 branch of the Margaroe, that which descends from Lake 

 Ainslie, is the important fishing ground, and this idea is 

 confirmed by the maps, which represent the northeast 

 branch as an insignificant tributary. The fact is, that the 

 northeast Margareee is the main river, running down near- 

 ly the whole extent of the northeast angle of tho Island 

 from near Cape North, and is a clear stony stream, wMla 

 the west M argarce is small and muddy, and comparatively 

 unfrequented by salmon. The best fishing ground is at 

 the forks. When I arrived there were no less than ten 

 tents within a radius of ten miles at the forks, one of 

 whose occupants took no less than sixty-six salmon with 

 his single rod, another thirty-six, and another thirty-three. 

 These sportsmen locate themselves there in the beginning 

 of June, and await the run of the fish, and it is the under- 

 stood practice that when a pool was settled upon it becamo 

 the right of the settler, so that I was deterred from setting 

 up my tent then. Before I left, however, the forks were 

 completely deserted, and I tried my hand there on my ay ay 

 back from a trip to the mouth of the river. Within a 

 quarter of an hour I had hooked a fish of fourteen pounds 

 in what is known as Biscoo'a pool, and which had been 

 regularly fished most successfully for the whole season. I 

 was unfortunate in breaking the end of my rod as I was 

 fishing with a long line in mid-stream, and, never expect- 

 ing that a fish would lie near the shore, I drew up too 

 quickly to make a fresh cast, when just then my fish struck 

 and away went my tip. I was bothered, but succeeded in 

 landing my fish, and as it was late I went up to the house 

 to mend my rod. 



I expected rare sport the next morning, as the salmon 

 were jumping in all directions in the pool, but could not 

 get a rise. When I went up to the house one of the men 

 remarked that he feared I would not have much sport, as 

 the pool had been speared during the night. On enquiry, 

 it turned out that between fifty and sixty salmon had been 

 speared out of that pool, which was only about two hun- 

 dred yards long, so I packed up my rod in disgust and 

 drove back forthwith to Eldridge's, where I was lodging, 

 and would not put. my rod together until the morning I left 

 for home, when, as I stated before, I took a fifteen pound 

 fish with a Jock Scott. I nearly lost this fine fellow, for 

 being anxious to start, with my mind preoccupied by 

 thoughts of home and dear ones there, I was mechanically 

 casting away in a splendid pool where a small brook joins 

 the main stream, when I w T as startled by the sudden spring 

 of my rod and the scolding of my friend as the fish made 

 his run. I almost lost him, but recovered my presence of 

 mind in time, and after a short but vigorous fight for life 

 ray beauty was gaffed for me by my friend. 



Thus ended my season's sport, and within an hour after- 

 wards I was eft route for home 



You are quite correct in stating that the Margaree is one 

 of the best stocked salmon rivers in the world. Not with- 

 standing the immense number taken in nets at the mouth, 

 and used by the canning establishment there, tho large 

 numbers taken by rod fishermen during the season, and the 

 almost fabulous numbers that are speared and netted higher 

 up as they are spawning, still they are apparently undimin- 

 ished, and this year were more abundant than for many 

 years previously. 



One word as to cost of transit. From Portland to Hali- 

 fax and return, $10; to Pictou and return, $6; to Hawks- 

 berry and return, $6; to West Bay and return, $2; to Bad- 

 deck and return, $2; to Margaree and return, $6. To these 

 items add staterooms, meals, and incidental expenses, and 

 an estimate can be formed of the cost of travel. Once 

 there the cost of living is very moderate. Yours truly. 



J. II. ft 



*The "Fishing Tourist" has selected the route via Ainslie Lake ae the 

 most practicable and avoiding tedious journeys by stage, and not because 

 the fishing of the West Branch is the best. We prefer to take the Port 

 Hood route.— Ed. 



•»«*» : 



MAY SHOOTING AT ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. 



Creek or Long Branch, and about the 20th to the 25th of. 

 the month find the robin snipe have arrived and taken up 

 their quarters on the innumerable bars and meadow islands 

 for which the New Jersey coast is noted. 



Last May having invited my friend George C— n to join 

 me, I determined to initiate him into the mysteries of robin 

 snipe shooting, when the sun was pouring down his rays 

 to be reflected from the meadow, and making it anything 

 but pleasant for a man of florid complexion. We had en- 

 gaged Joel Con over as our baymen, by letter, and reaching 

 Atlantic City, stopped at Shaufier's hotel, the headquarters 

 for sportsmen, and found two parties of gentlemen bent on 

 the same amusement as ourselves, and from them received 

 very flattering accounts of what we might expect on the 

 morrow. 



At early dawn w T e were awakened and found breakfast 

 awaiting us, and Joel fully prepared. The inlet being but 

 a short distance from the hotel, we were soon under way 

 with a good breeze, and shortly found ourselves at the 

 shooting ground. As the sun rose, we saw countless num- 

 bers of robin snipe and bullhead plover, moving from the 

 bars and flats which they had been "using," as the baymen 

 term it, the rising tide driving them to the meadows to 

 feed. Had it been low water, we would have shot from 

 the bars, but as the tide would soon cover them, we col. 

 looted together a quantity of sea weed and formed an oval 

 blind sufficiently high to hide us when on our backs 

 awaiting the near approach of the birds. Spreading an 

 India rubber blanket in our hiding place on which to lie, our 

 stool birds having been artistically arranged ten or fifteen 

 yards from us, we prepared ourselves for the robin snipe 

 which were passing and repassing, and showing every inclin- 

 ation to "use" the shallow pond near by on the meadow. 

 We were scarcely settled side by side when seven plover 

 came to us, and all but one were killed, C — n and Joel 

 doing the shooting, as I had not as yet fully prepared my- 

 self. Flock after flock of robin snipe were whistled up to 

 our decoys, and great havoc was mado each time in their 

 ranks. And here let me describe a whistle I use for calling 

 plover and robin snipe, with which a most perfect imita- 

 tion can be made. It is nothing more than the school 

 boy's pennj 1 - whistle of tin, two pieces of round shape, an 

 inch in diameter, soldered together at the edges, leaving a 

 space in the centre, and two small holes punched through 

 the sides at the middle; this is placed in the mouth, and 

 the drawing in of the air and expelling it w r ith some modu- 

 lation of course, resembles the note of the bird you wish to 

 call, and it can be heard at a great distance. 



Before evening we were glad te start for home, and could 

 count our game by scores. The sun, however, punished us 

 fearfully, and my friend presented a sorry appearance in- 

 deed, but was not prevented from trying a second day. 



All the Conovers, Will, Adam and Joel are goo I men, 

 but I am Inclined to favor Will, as he is a hard worker, and 

 although not so good a whistler as Adam, I w r ould engage 

 him nevertheless, for my tin toy fills the gap, and is gen- 

 erally looked to as the caller. The coming May, should I try 

 the robin snipe I shall wear a light mask of some kind to 

 protect myself from the sun, which on these meadows is 

 powerful, and peculiarly dazzling to the eyes, and I have 

 no doubt something of the kind would answ T er admirably. 

 In May the mosquitoes have not made their appearance, and 

 the only drawback to tho pleasure is the one I have men- 

 tioned. In September, when the baybirds have returned 

 from the north with their young, it is the middle of the 

 musquito crop, and we find no enjoyment at that time. So 

 if one wishes to choose his season and is desirous of trying 

 Bay shooting, Let him take May by all means. 



"Homo." 



Editor Forest and Stream:— 



There is a period of the year when the sportsman has 

 nothing to occupy him until July when woodcock are 

 sought for, (unless he be a lover of the "gentle art,") and 

 thie period is May and June. There is nothing now in 

 season excepting "baybirds," and under this head are in- 

 cluded the curlews, godwits, tattlers, and rovers, the only 

 true snipe in the region being the scohpax novehoroAemis, or 

 quail snipe, grayback and dowitcher, as it is called in differ- 

 ent localities. 



When the greater portion of these species which visit 

 our coast in the spring have passed north to their breeding 

 grounds, last of all comes the red-breasted sand piper, or 

 robin snipe, as I will call hin for familiarity's sake. 



After I have "wet my line" in my favorite trout stream 

 " to abate the fever which May always brings to me, I pre- 

 pare for a short shooting trip either to Atlantic City, West 



CUPID ON 



For Fori'** ft-i'd Streoj/t. 



s Rates. 



A PEEP AT A CANADIAN RINK. 



WITH love making in the tropics the majority of 

 readers are doubtless more or less familiar. Vows 

 are whispered in the "balmy, soft-breathing night." There 

 are orange groves, sweet violets and magnolias; a faithful 

 slave or two, and an old time plantation house. But these 

 and other "properties" have figured so often in light liter- 

 ature that they may be classically described as "played 

 out." Ditto with regard to stories of the war. Yet people 

 must write., That iron monster, the "six-cylinder," is in. 

 satiable. His attendant minions are ever clamoring for 

 "copy." You have heard no doubt now geese are penned 

 up before a hot fire to increase the size of their livers for 

 the making of path da fois gras? A somewhat similar pro- 

 cess is observed in feeding a six cylinder. If you ever have 

 occasion to visit a newspaper office you will notice cooped 

 up in small apartments or chained to desks or tables, a 

 number of unhappy looking men. These are the victims 

 of the insatiate six-cylinder. They are reqnired to furnish 

 a certain amount of brains each day in the form of "copy," 

 with which to feed the monster; and after they become 

 worn out they are thrown upon the mercies of a cold and 

 uncharitable world. Far better be a goose and be killed 

 for your liver. 



But I fear I am wandering from my subject, though the 

 ill-natured will readily perceive the analogy between geese 

 and lovers. My intention, however, is to present some 

 sketches of love-making in the frozen north. 



Do you know what a rink is? Ten to one you never 

 heard the word before, unless you or your forefathers came 

 from the Land o' Cakes. There is a Scottish game called 

 "curling," wmich is played upon the ice with smooth stones, 

 and the placo where the game takes place is a rink. In 



Canada a rink is a large building of brick or wood, enclos- 

 ing an artificial pond. The w*ater is let in gradually at 

 the beginning of winter, and frozen to the depth of three 

 or four feet. As it is worn away by the skaters, and be- 

 comes rough, more water is let on from time to time, and 

 so despite rain-storms or snow-storms good skating may be 

 had until warm weather arrives. There are dressing and 

 refreshment rooms, and galleries and promenades for look- 

 ers on, due provision being made for those who have to 

 play the uneviablc role of chaperon. 



Let us enter. You pull at the bell handle; the outer door 

 is opened by a servant in livery, (this is a rink frequented 

 only by the crcme do la cremc, and its portals are sacredly 

 guarded,) and you stand in a narrow hall. A confused 

 sound reaches your ears. It is as though many hundred 

 scythes were being sharpened on as many grindstones, 

 while other scythes w^ere laying low heavy swaths of rust- 

 ling grass. The air is damp as at the portal of an ice house. 

 As an inner door is opened the noise increases, and be- 

 comes more confused; a strong breeze, created by the 

 skaters as they sweep rapidly round and round, reminds 

 you of your rheumatic tendencies; while all that you dis- 

 cern is a number of dusky, half indistinct figures moving 

 to and fro with marvellous swiftness. In a second or two 

 you regain your wonted composure and see things more 

 clearly. You stand upon a platform extending from one 

 side of the rink to the other, and from which open dress- 

 ing and refreshment rooms. Next to the ice are w 7 ooden 

 benches for the chaperones, who— bless their dear old 

 frozen souls — sit patiently for hours to protect their dar- 

 lings from young men who are not "eligible," the word 

 signifying money, and not applying in the remotest degree 

 to brain, morals or good looks. But as w T e shall see here- 

 after, the chaperone's power ends where the ice begins, and 

 the "flirtation boxes" are beyond her reach. These "flirta- 

 tion boxes" are simply the niches between the timbers sup- 

 porting the roof, in which seats have been piaced. They 

 are only accessible from the ice, and are therefore nice 

 places for an undisturbed conversation. As many of the 

 timbers are of very considerable thickness, those occupying 

 the seats are quite excluded from the gaze of the chaperones 

 on the platform. Opposite tne entrance, at the far end of 

 the rink, is a platform for the band, occupied two or three 

 times a week, when quadrilles and lancers are danced upon 

 skates, even more gracefully than in a ball room. The 

 costumes of the ladies vary of course, and a general de- 

 scription of their toilets must suffice. On the head is worn 

 a small, round fur cap; the skating jacket or sack is often 

 of blue or scarlet cloth, with brass buttons, and variously 

 trimmed; a grey or brown tweed dress is looped over a 

 gay-colored balmoral, beneath which are Knickerbockers, 

 or Turkish trousers, which, when the wearer has clumsy 

 ankles, come quite down to the stout laced boots (and when 

 the reverse is the case, are often dispensed with) — add a 

 large muff and fur mittens, and you have the costume of 

 the fair skater. Such is the dress of the young lady who 

 now appears at the door of the dressing-room, with her 

 skates already buckled, and prepares to walk across the 

 platform to the ice. She has a sw r eet face, and is alto- 

 gether one of the most attractive ladies you have ever seen. 

 At least, so thinks that lithe, slender youth, with the regu- 

 lar features, black curly hair, and magnificent eyes, who is 

 twirling about, listlessly at the far end of the rink. No 

 sooner does he see the w ell-known figure at the dressing- 

 room door than he gathers himself together as does a horse 

 preparatory to making a leap, and bounds forward as an 

 arrow speeds from the bow T . In a trice he is at the young 

 lady's feet, and busy over her skate-straps. They always 

 do need tightening wdien Will Sweet appears, no matter 

 how tight they may have been drawn before. Rose now 

 gives the tip of her mitten to Will, (not, however, giving 

 him the "mitten" in an unpleasant sense,) a few steps 

 further and she is on the ice. .The band strikes up a lively 

 air, and away the couple glide, hand in hand, now fast 

 now slow, keeping excellent time with the music, and dex- 

 terously avoiding collisions with less experienced skaters, 

 though to do this it is sometimes necessary to loose hands 

 for a moment. 



Look! Now they are doing the "outside edge" inclin- 

 ing at an angle of forty-five degrees, first on one skate iron, 

 then on the other, the opposite foot being held in advance 

 of and over the one which rests upon the ice. Both fig- 

 ures move as one, and their rapid onward motion is not 

 checked in the least. Not so graceful is the "Dutch roll," 

 which is neither bread, cake or sausage, but a performance 

 on skates which baffles my powers of description. The 

 same may be said of many other feats on skates, (no pun is 

 intended,) in which fair skaters contest the palm with the 

 ruder sex. 



As the music ceases Will lands his partner among the 

 chaperones. She will not be, persuaded into the flirtation 

 boxes, and her chaperon on this occasion is decidedly vin- 

 egansh and lynx-eyed. Besides there is Lieut. Fitz Poo- 

 dles (who is "eligible," having £500 a j^ear besides his pay,) 

 waiting to secure her for a partner. He is rather unsteady 

 on his pins, not being by any means an accomplished 

 skater, and in attempting to salute Miss Budd he precipi- 

 tates himself head first into the lap of an old lady. He 

 stammers out a "beg pawdon," as he recovers himself, and 

 extends his hand to Rose with an "Aw, pleasure of skating 

 with you, Mith Budd?" The young lady in question does 

 not notice the extended hand, but demurely pleads fatigue. 

 Fitz Poodles thinks he will wait until she is rested, which he 

 is pretty sure will be when the band strikes up again. Will 

 is as usual at the other end of the rink. The leader of the 

 band raises his baton, but before it can fall Will is beside 



