468 
FOREST AND . STREAM. 
[June i6, 1900. 
flash just above my head, with Jim in the stern, we crept 
out on the lake which spread out like a great yawning pit. 
Not a breath of air was on the move; eA'erything as 
quiet and still as a tomb. The thump, thump, thump of 
my heart sounded to rne like the drumming of an old 
partridge on a hollow log. Everything appeared so 
strange in the pale yellow light ahead; the rushes took on 
a: ghost-like aspect and looked so unnatural; the hlypads 
seemed to spring up from the bottom of the lake as we 
slipped by ; now and then a rock would rise to the very 
surface directly in our path, but as we passed or went 
over it it would appear to melt into the ground again, and 
gradually vanish into the great wall of darkness. Like a 
shadow we silently stole around a small point; but hush I 
we heard the familiar pat, pat in the water just ahead, 
and although we could not see, we knew that the object 
of our trip was not far away. Moving gently around the 
point, and keeping the light turned in the direction of 
the noise, we soon were rewarded by seeing two large 
balls of fire in the darkness beyond. Gradually we moved 
in their direction until the outlines of a fine young buck 
were before us, when, within about 15 feet, I let the flash 
go and got the picture. I don't suppose there was ever 
such a surprised deer in the woods of Maine as he was. 
He was simply paralyzed with fear or wonderment, and 
for two or more seconds could not move. The flash 
blinded him. When he did come to, the first jump he 
made was directly at me ; he struck the canoe on the 
bow, which seemed to restore his lost senses, for he 
turned and made for cover in an instant, showing his dis- 
pleasure bj^ stamping and snorting as he followed us in 
the woods along the shore. 
We covered up' the light and moved on into the inky 
darkness, heading for the opposite shore, making in the 
direction of the inlet. Here we succeeded in frightening 
other deer nearly out of their wits, and in all got about 
eight or nine what T think would have made very fine pic- 
tures; one in particular — a group of three, an old buck 
and two does. We were now nearly opposite the inlet. 
It must have been after midnight, and we expected to 
get about two more pictures and return to camp. Sudden- 
ly a brown looking object appeared in the edge of the 
darkness directly ahead of us. After looking it over and 
coming to the conclusion that it was a stone or bent tree 
trunk, I turned the light toward the near shore. We 
pushed on quietly, but nothing appeared in the circle of 
our light, except this queer looking mound, which, as we 
got nearer, seemed to move. I still couldn't make it 
out, and was about to call Jim's attention to it, but as 1 
turned to do so there was a splash and a snort, and look- 
ing again I saw a great bull moose not over 30 feet away. 
A larger and uglier looking creature never existed. For 
a second I was seized with buck fever, but soon came to, 
and remembering what I was there for, started to get his 
picture, when Jim, who knew more about the habits of 
the subject than I did, holowed: ''Put out the light; put 
out the light, quick !" I turned to ask him why, when I 
was interrupted by another snort that made every hair on 
my head vibrate. To add to my discomfort, Jim fairly 
screamed: "For God's sake put out the light," and began 
to swing the canoe around. I turned to untie the lantern 
and saw the old moose making for us with all the haste 
possible, but, as usual, my fingers were all thumbs. An- 
other snort, directly in my ear, made further endeavors 
impossible. Jim hallowed : "Look out !" I did, and saw 
Mr. Moose directly over me. He had risen on his hind 
legs and Avas just about to strike at the light or me U 
don't know which, and I didn't stop to find out), but 
threw myself backward into the lake. As to what fol- 
. lowed, I have but a faint recollection. Thoughts by this 
time were running through my mind with lightening-like 
rapidity. How deep was the water? Which way the 
nearest shore? How would my friends find me? Where 
was the moose? Where was Jim? and hundreds of 
others, crowded in upon my brain in the few seconds I was 
under water. Reaching the surface, I had lost my bear- 
ings entirely, and did not know which way to turn for 
the shore. I knew I couldn't last long dressed as heavily 
as I was, for the night was cold, unless I reached shore 
quick or could touch bottom. I was able to do the latter, 
thanks to kind providence, and never has a foot of soft 
mud felt so welcome before. By standing on my toes, I 
could just chin the surface. Just at this moment Jim 
called. He was headed for the middle of the lake, we 
afterward found out. Upon receiving my answer, he 
turned and was soon by my side, and told me not to 
move or make any more noise. My thoughts then turned 
toward the moose, who was thrashing around in the water 
not far away. There wc were, at about i o'clock in the 
morning, darker than pitch, up to our necks in cold 
water, listening and shaking while our unwelcome sub- 
ject was doing all in his power to find us. He would 
walk around, stop, snort, and strike the water in a way 
that started the cold shivers playing tag up and down 
my back. He finally started for the shore, we thought, 
judging from his grunts, and we were about to seek better 
footing, when he stopped and listened. I really think he 
could hear our teeth chatter. He evidently made up his 
mind to give it up, for he soon went into the woods. x\fter 
giving him time enough to get well away, we took as long 
a breath as possible under the circumstances, and started 
for the shore. After wading about 20 feet, we ran into the 
canoe, floating bottom up. . Running my hand along the 
keel, I struck a hole about a foot wide at my end, directly 
where I had been kneeling. Right there I offered thanks 
to the guardian angel that was hovering over us that 
night. , We pushed the canoe ashore and started to build a 
fire. Fortunately. Jim had matches in a water-tight box. 
We were soon sitting each side of a big blaze, looking at 
one another. Two more wretched, disheartened and for- 
lorn looking individuals never existed. As the warmth 
^Started the blood in our veins again, we began to see the 
funny side of our situation. Jim even went so far as to 
try a few bars of "He never cares to wander from his own 
fireside," but it didn't go for a cent. A more dismal 
failure never happened. 
At last the gray daAvn of earljr day began to make It- 
self manifest over the mountains, and we at once set at 
work, preijaring to return to camn. We found everything 
well soaked ; the canoe was in bad shape, but getting some 
birch bark and gum we managed to patch it up to answer 
our purpose. 
Tt would have been impossible to hwx tried to reach 
camp on foot, on account of the thick underbrush and 
windfalls. We managed to keep the canoe afloat by my 
continual bailing, and reached camp without further 
mishap. 
Vye remained a day longer to get ourselves in shape 
again, and started on our return journey full of valuable 
experience, but with no picture of a moose. Van. 
I A Life's Reminiscence. 
BY SALMO FONTINAtlS. 
Mv first recollections w^re associated with a cool, 
shaded rivulet. It traced a babbling, noisy course through 
a thousand bends and turns, through wild mcadowlands 
Avhere fragrant grasses cast dancing shadows overhead, 
frightening our little timid souls with fantastic, spectral 
motions, its overhanging banks, protected here and there 
with great shrubs whose density was brightened by many 
a colored rose or graceful fern, provided insect food for our 
greedy mouths when shaken by the wind. Great pines 
stood like silent sentinels at other points, to furnish sough- 
ing music when shaken by the breeze, or tossed and 
shook with anger when storms passed by, responding to 
each wind blast with defiant roar, shooting a challenge to 
all their natural enemies. Sometimes a bolt of lightning 
struck one down ; it staggered, bent, then fell as great 
trees do, like a giant sinking to his knees in deadly com- 
bat. First came the fatal blow, so bright, so loud, the 
forest shrieks in agony, then staggering shakes, then 
crashing falls, slowly at first, until m its descent it tears 
through forest, brake and ferns, a relentless path of mu- 
tilation and of death, leaving an open space above its 
prostrate length for coming winds and storms to view a 
fallen foe. 
, We were a swarming multitude of little troUts, our 
tender bellies of a deep red hue, given by the dark pro- 
tected pools in which we lived, fought, played and fed. 
Our crimson sides were so luminous that when jumping 
through the surface after flies, sparkling drops of water, 
shaken from our sides, were as dimmed crystals compared 
to our crimson spots, or when at sundown a hundred of 
us played in leaping .sports, breaking from water into light 
and air, the surface of the pool appeared flashed across 
by rays of colored lights. 
Our lives were thoughtless, happy, free; we had no 
fear of man or hooks, false flies or nets. We sported, fed, 
or when weary found secluded banks or sunken snags or 
roots for shelter from the sun and light, then rested to 
grow strong and big. Increasing growth encouraged us 
to test the rapids which gurgled, hissed and spat their un- 
ceasing strength upon a thousand pebbles whose iri- 
descent hues threw back to the sun endless noisy thanks 
for warmth and light. The cascades next tried our skill. 
How high they seemed; what fun we had in contests 
as to which should climb them best. At first we fell 
back panting, bruised and sore, then rested an instant, to 
dart up again with all our speed, cutting through the 
falling spray to land upon some higher ledge until the 
top was passed. 
Skillful at last in all these neces.sary tests, we drifted 
down into an endless river with pools at all its numerous 
bends so large a hundred trout could live in one, each 
finding for himself a hiding place. Great falls upon the 
river could be heard for miles, making the forest stillness 
more acute by noisy contrast. Majestic pines, sweet 
scented spruces, primeval oaks, beech trees whose heads 
once reached high above all surrounding woods, were 
fallen here and there to form new pools, furnishing a 
shelter for the myriad flies and bugs for which we' fought 
or watched. 
In these broad waters we traveled many miles along 
its numberless curves and bends. It AVas fed by moun- 
tain springs whose crystal coolness tempered to our 
needs our native stream. It flowed between sandy plains, 
deep, shaded glens, below great mountains whose western 
tops shortened tlie sunsets above our heads, through eldcr 
thickets whose bushy tops formed noble arches, giving 
us shade ; through overreaching banks, weighted to almost 
falling with vegetation rich in sweet smelling shrubs or 
[lowers. It shallowed, deepened, rushed madly on over 
granite boulders which every one gave musical resistance 
to the downward tide, making a choir to sing continuous, 
joyous tunes. Its change from rushing, foaming life to 
spots so still and placid made them peaceful as tired 
trotitlets after happy play. Its cataracts tore over ragged 
rocks high in a bluish sky line from which ever fell a 
million rainbows into boiling basins below. Along its 
banks the timid doe, accompanied by her fawns, her long 
ears alert, coming to drink, would cast startled glances 
toward our play as some great splash was heard, or an 
antlered stag raising his dripping Hps would spring upon 
the bank to paw the earth while looking defiance at our 
sj)ort. The jaybird, always alert, dwelt nearby to warn 
us by his shrill cry of "danger near," while the stately 
kingfisher was a sentinel who. from his overhanging 
perch, disclosed to us an unwelcome approach b5' skim- 
ming over our pools in dipping flight without diving for 
his prey. 
Our elders, patriarchs of the tribe, taught all they kliew 
of natural enemies, of men and boys who pursued us for 
wanton sport with cruel flies or wriggling worms con- 
cealing deadly hooks. 
They told tis to avoid bright spinning- things, seines, 
nets and flies, until we found the banks Avere clear of 
men with slender rods, or boys Avith saplings in their 
hands. How big these elders Avere, hoAv they rushed more 
quickly than a flash of light upon the moAdng food, or 
under shelter from some unknown foe. Observing, aa'c 
learned the selfishness of fish, each for himself in plav 
or food, that when some secluded hole Avas found beneath 
a fallen log. or protruding bank, Avhere food floats past 
or insects drop from overhanging boughs, such a place 
Avhere one could, lie near a rushing floAv, or foaming fall, 
with head no :stream. there to keep stand by ceaseless 
movement of fore fins, to 'fight for it until master of 
the spot, or, conquered, seek-another equally a.s good. If 
once master of this place to He as quiet ag the^ sunken 
stones until unconscious bait or fly came floating past, 
then quick as thought to flout the muscled tail, dart 
forAvard like a flash, the victim secured, a victorious SAvirl 
to right or left, then back again to wait and watch. ^ 
n. ' 
One autumn day toward evening, when the waters were 
cool, when the maple leaves turned to many brilliant 
hues, making the hillside look like bits of flame where 
the sunlight fell, I was Avatching in a pool shaded by a 
fallen pine, Avhich lay slantwise above. The day had 
been hot. The sun's rays casting shadoAvs above our heads !| 
reminded us that feeding time approached. Suddenly :j 
from above three flies fluttered down, settling as gently | 
near to our lair as AA'ithered leaves. The first Avas black 'I 
with spots of white, the second scarlet red, the third was 
of a dun broAvn hue. Before they touched the Avater I 
darted for the dun brown 11}', but in my haste collided with 
another trout, causing us both to miss the mark. Two 
trout about my age seized the other flies. They seemed 
sudderily bereft of sense, darting right, left, up, down, 
broke the Avater's surface in exaggerated Ixjunds; they ' 
tugged hard on a slender line until, appearing Aveary of 
this odd sport, they sloAvly moved up stream beyond our 
view. It Avas not long before other flies fell fluttering 
upon the pool. I .struck this time before the rest, catching , 
the dun brown fly. It pricked my upper lip near the 
edge, giving a pain which made me swerve to seek quick ■) 
shelter, but could not, for I Avas forcefully drawn up the 
stream, powerless to cast out the treacherous fly. It 
lield me tight, inilling ever toward the low up-stream 
bank. I could not fight, or run, or move. In despera- 
tion, Avhen passing close to a sunken tree, I darted into 
its sheltering limbs, there to find myself relieved of that f 
overpowering drag. When I would swim away, I found • 
myself held fast to the sunken twigs by a whitish film, not 
seen before. 
I lay there powerless to escape until a man entered [ 
the pool, waist deep, holding high above him in one hand I 
a thin rod, to Avhich Avas attached a slender line, Avhich he 
kept drawn tight. His other hand controlled a long stripped 
limb which he poked at both the fly and me, until sudden- 
ly the fly broke loose, leaving ine free, exhausted, happy, 
but unfed. My lesson learned, I saw, as seasons passed, I, 
less Avary fish drawn out by men and boys. I learned to 
feed Avith that caution which meant life, to know the 
mysteries of fishcraft, rivers, lakes, to fear more than 
their sires' skill the Aviles of those boys whose tanned 
legs and faces made promise of the hardy man, whose 
keen, bright eyes gaA'e no hope to hiding quarry or to 
fish, whose dress shoAved more of the picturesque than . 
care, Avith breeches suspended from a half-broken brace 
scarce reaching their shirts, so buttonless they showed no 
garments underneath. They Avere not equipped as older 
fishermen. No creel swung to their backs, but in lieu 
thereof they bOre a forked tAvig, on Avhich suspended 
ahvaj^s hung a score or more of good sized trout. No 
reel, no fancy spoon, no flies they had, but used a rod 
cut from some birch tree, to Avhich Avas tied a long, white 
line, fastened to a large, ringed hook. Yet these boy.s 
did more to thin our ranks than the most aecompUshed 
anglers Avitli all their arts. 
Their luck. came from persistence or a skillful sneak 
upon our pools, where, taken unaAvares, the trout AA'Ould 
strike the hook buried deep in lucious angle Avorms — 
baits Avhich never fail to make them feed. If once they 
struck, no chance to fight was given, for Avith one awful 
jerk these boys landed them in the trees above or on the 
banks behind. Seldom one returned to tell the tale, but . 
if he did, his story Avas of sudden flight — a sliattered jaAV 
or spine, Avitli vovvs ncA cr to feed again. 
III. 
A fading sunset one day Avas flooding our choicest pool. 
The dying rays penetrated their obUque beams to many 
darkened places, the maple leaves just OA-erhead vied with 
our spots in crimson tints or Avitli the yelloAV sunset 1 
bathing ali nature in a haze so soft the plants, the birds, all 
living- things, were hushed in silent Avorship. 
We lay there at peace with nature and ourselves. Sud- 
denly a crimson light flashed through the pool, cutting the 
slanting sunbeams as Avitli a ray of fire. It was a trout so 
beautiful all turned to gaze on her. Her belly Avas so 
brilliant red it gave color to the sands and stones be- 
neath, her spots so numerous, edging into the crimson 1 
eyes; to see them one blinked as at the noonday .sun. Her 
lines so graceful, she moved as though no effort guided 
her. Reaching the center of the pool, she paused, lying ' 
silent, observant of all things around, then slowly turned 
to swim about to see what manner of company she vvas ^ 
in. At once a score of males shot forth to show their 
gallant spots, their deep red hues, their nimbleness, ten- 
dering her those courtesies each hoped would gain him the 
preference. Until this time I had neither Avooed nor 
wed, but when she lay there so beautiful, I kncAV that I 
must Avin this mate or die. I was the most briUiant of 
all my tribe, Avas of great length, noted for strength and ; 
feared no ri\'al when it came to all the tests of leader- 
ship. _ She did not see me until, leisurely drifting from ' 
my hiding place to cross the pool, I brushed aside with- 
out apparent thought those suitors who obstructed my 
course. Choosing one great trout Avhose arrogance placed 
him aboA-e the rest, Avith open mouth I rushed him like a ' 
streak; he stood to me a moment, then turned to (lee .so 
rapidly I let him go in his most shameful flight. Just then 
a great moth miller came flying past high in the air. A 
lightning poise, a rush, a spring, the moth miller caught. I 
curved in mid air to cut the water on return, leaving 
scarce a ripple Avhere I came in. Then darting to my 
Avould-be mate, I tendered her this choice bit of food, :tell- 
ing her that I would make her my bride, find food for 
her, protect her in life, ahvays be her humble, dutious ' 
lord. She took from me the token of our troth, then 
moving to my side Ave left the pool together to seek tlic ' 
choicest lair in the stream below. Such Avas my Avooing. 1 
I taught her all I kncAV. Avhere the coolest brooklets ' 
emptied into the stream, where food came doAvn. the 
dangers from hooks, men, boys, minks or nets ; where 
the plumpest worms, gnats and flies were caught. i'Tacli 
year we climbed th efalls until some quiet armlet of the 
stream Avas found Avherein to leaA'e our spaAvn. then sncnt 
the year in all those famous spots Ave loA^ed so Avell. Many 1 
of our kind Avere destroyed or caught Avith passing sea- 
sons, but Avc escaped. OAving to our cautiousness, until at , 
1-1 cf- nve became *he £riants our 'Stream, Avhom no trout 
dared oppose in hunting food, or play, ox hiding place, ■ i 
