194 



RECREATION 



On reaching Chambly, at three o'clock on 

 the third day, we obtained our clearance 

 and determined to do the twelve miles of 

 canal to St. Johns before night, if possible. 

 There were no canal-boats ahead of us, so 

 we got through the six locks located here 

 in about fifty minutes. For an exciting ex- 

 perience one ought to be locked in a canoe. 

 In this case, Brooks stayed out to assist 

 the lockman with the gates, while I re- 

 mained in the boat. Instead of opening 

 the gates half-way, the lock-keeper let in 

 the full head of water; and I thought our 

 trip was at an end. The water came in 

 with a rush and, sweeping down one side 

 of the lock, dashed against the gate and 

 swirled up the other side. I was caught 

 in this rush, and using all my strength, 

 barely saved the canoe from being dashed 

 against the mason-work as the water whirled 

 it round and round, Slowly — very slowly 

 — it seemed to dawn upon the lock-keeper 

 that he was not dealing with a canal-boat, 

 and he closed the flood-gates half-way, 

 after which I had no further trouble in 

 keeping the canoe in position. After pass- 

 ing through the remaining locks, we cov- 

 ered the eleven miles to St. Johns in two 

 and one-half hours, towing most of the 

 way. This we did by the aid of our pack- 



rope, taking turns on the tow-path and in 



steering. 



We reached Rouse's Point on the 26th 

 of August, and after a short stop made for 

 Isle Le Motte, where we camped. We had 

 been rushing matters pretty well, and now 

 decided to take the remaining month more 

 leisurely, devoting more time to hunting, 

 fishing and picture-taking. 



On leaving Isle Le Motte, we worked 

 down through the "Great Back Bay" across 

 the "Sand-Bar Bridge," and after spending 

 several very enjoyable days on "The Four 

 Brother Islands," started for "Fort Ticon- 

 deroga," which we reached on the 20th of 

 September. From here we crossed to 

 "Lake George" and spent our last week on 

 that beautiful and historic lake, enjoying 

 immensely the beauties of the autumn fo- 

 liage. As we sat by our last campfire, we 

 fell to discussing the trip, agreeing that it 

 had been both interesting and instructive. 

 But we had not gotten away from civ- 

 ilization and had missed the trout, the 

 fragrant boughs and the seclusion of the 

 wilderness camp. 



After disposing of our canoe and tent 

 for a good price, we found the total ex- 

 penses for two months to be fifty dollars 

 apiece. 



Pleasure Parties Constantly Passing 



GO 



BY R. L. F0RTT. 



When the voice of Spring comes calling 



softly, silently, to you, 

 Don't try to think of other things for there's 



only one to do; 

 So pack up all belongings, 'long with rod 



and fly and creel 

 And enter into Nature — just see how you 



will feel. 



