241 
FOREST AND STREAM 
miles to an inch, taking in the whole sea coast of Georgia, 
on a square foot of paper. Our voyage after this was hut. 
a repetition of similar adventures in following blind crocks 
and running up wrong channels. We passed through St. 
Simon’s Sound, the attractive Altamuha, and through Do- 
boy and Sapcllo Sounds, past the lovely island of St. Cath- 
erine, where a horde of niggers seemed to have possession, 
through Ossnbaw anil Warsaw Sounds and nil their con- 
necting creeks, into the Tybeo, I think, and brought up 
suddenly In a branch of a creek that we had fondly hoped 
would enable us to reach Savannah by a short cut. We 
had passed along the famous sea islands of Georgia, see- 
ing. however, little of their attractive features, but being 
throughout nearly all of our voyage surrounded by marsh. 
Ji was wonderful what faith the captain had in my chart. 
Finding that he knew nothing whatever of the coast, I was 
obliged to guess my way along, and he fell hack on that 
chart. The miuutost crceklet be would find detailed there, 
and would insist that such and such a course was wrong 
because the chart said so. When near Thunderbolt, a few 
miles from Suvannali, wo passed a suspicious looking rev- 
enue cutter, from the deck of which a black-whiskered 
man ordered us to heave to, which we indignantly did. It 
lias occurred to me that we presented to that officer a sus- 
picious appearance, hut at that time we wondered why he 
should insist upon our heaving to, when the tide and wind 
were in our favor. We proceeded, however, passing a dis- 
mantled earthwork further on, containing a great gun 
spiked aud dismounted. Wo soon struck the yellow wa- 
ters of the Savannah River and sailed up toward the city, 
majestic looking in the distance, between obstructions and 
past forts, till wo Anally anchored at the wharf. Our 
search for a chart was unavailing; this discouraged the 
captain, who took passage for home on a steamer, leaving 
Srun und myself with the boat. We slept in the bout two 
nights, when we had the good fortune to sell her and thus 
avert a threatened fever. The custom house officials were 
very kind and allowed us to deposit our eHects at the boat 
house until wo sailed for homo. I wonder that the people 
of Savannah did’nt mob us, for we were ragged and soiled 
by our eight days’ journey, and wore extremely oullatidi -h 
costume. I remember having on a pair of inexpressibles, 
given me by the Major, which, as the donor was a large 
man — rather corpulent, in fact — completely cuveloped me. 
The front button that should be was carried around to my 
left hip, so that 1 appeared, as a small boy characterized 
it. as though walking squint-eyed. Rut the good citizens 
of Savannah took not the slightest heed of my attire, and 
the colored person to whom I gave the trowsers gave fer- 
vent thanks. 
I sincerely hope that Mr. Bishop will accomplish liis ar- 
duous voyage, and when lie arrives on the St. Johns I 
would that 1 were there to see. If lie gets puzzled among 
the sea islands I will loan him my chart. 
FnHD Beverly. 
[Mr. Bishop, we all know, has succeeded in completing 
liis long cruise without the aid of Beverly's chart. He 
dropped In upon us last week, on his return to the North, 
like a seabird from the ocean when the storm is upon it, 
nod after a brief interval sped on his way with the flush of 
exultation on his face, which well deserved success so 
naturally begets. — E d ] 
For Fore it and Stream. 
THE PEOPLE OF NEVADA: THEIR 
HABITS AND CUSTOMS. 
chapter n. 
N EVADA, was admitted into lUc Union as a State in 
1801, when its inhabitants numbered less than 40,000. 
It was mi unfortunate circumstance for the tax-paying in- 
habitants. A few wire-pullers and office-seekers rushed 
the thing forward and got it admitted. This threw upon 
the people an enormous burden of taxation. The State 
and county tux of a man worth #10,000 is from $300 to 
$100, and could not be borne if it cost as much to live as 
it does in the Eastern States. What made it still worse 
was laws passed by the Legislature voting large salaries 
and fees to all the officers of the State from the Governor 
down to the lowest officers in the county. 
The State of Nevada, lying, as it does, between the great 
Sa’t Lake Valley in Utah and the Sierra Nevada Moun- 
tains, on a high, elevated plain covered with mountains, 
would never have furnished any particular attraction for 
it* settlement by white people but for its mining interests. 
In view of the vast amount of territory within its limits 
that can never be brought under cultivation for the want 
of water to irrigate the soil, its inhabitants can never equal 
in numbers t hat of other States. The climate furnishes no 
objection to settlement. Although the Summers are hot, the 
Winters are short, and while the mercury sometimes falls 
to zero, yet such is the purity and dryness of the atmos- 
phere that this degree of cold does not effect a person like 
the value temperature in New York, where the atmosphere 
is more humid. No country can he more healthy than 
Nevada. Colds, fevers, and consumption are straugere iu 
this State There is one phenomenon peculiar to the nt- 
ino'pliere in this country in regard to sound and sight. An 
object at the distance of ten miles can be seen ns plainly 
r.~ if two miles distant in the Stale of New York, and to 
one from tho cast seems to be no further than one or 
two miles. The atmosphere is so light and open that 
sounds pass through it with wonderful clearness. I was 
greatly deceived in distauce when I first came to the State. 
An object in the mountains would only appear a mile dis- 
tant, but in attempting to reach it I would fiud the dis- 
tance eight or ten miles. 
The white inhabitants of Nevada are generally young, 
from twenty live to forty years of age. A man with gray 
hair is seldom seen. The settlers are hardy, stirring, and 
enterprising. They arc originally from Kentucky, Mis- 
souri, Michigan, Iowa, and New York, as well as some 
Germans und Irish. I have not seen a negro this side of 
tlie Rocky Mountains, and doubt if there is any in Nevuda. 
Chinamen take the pluce of Africans this sido of the moun- 
tains and serve ns cooks und waiters iu hotels, and it is 
considered that they make excellent servants. The settle- 
ment. in Nevada differ from any of the other States in this 
particular, which is owing to the character of the country 
being compiled of mountains and valleys; generally but 
one side ot these mountains is supplied with water from 
stu-.iiiih l lie hittleni- nu arc necessarily on that side, aud 
in continuous lines the length of the vallevs. from one mile 
to three or lour miles from tho base of the mountains 
Each settler controls the water thnt flows through his 
grounds, which lie uses in irrigating his rauche. This pre- 
vents settlement beyond, although the soil may be equal or 
better, but no water can be obtained. It is upon this un- 
cultivated prairie that cattle feed, and it is not necessary 
for their owners to own a foot of land. The mountains 
and uncultivated valleys not token up by settlers belong to 
the Government of the United Slates, excepting lands that 
were given to the Stale of Nevada. Vast quantities of hay 
is cut in these valleys. Each individual cuts as much as 
he desires for liis own consumption, and should he have 
any to spare he finds a ready sale for it in the villages, and, 
though prairie hay, it surpasses t he cultivated hay of the 
States. The products of the soil arc bought and sold by 
weight; there is no mention of bushels or barrels, but the 
estimate is by tons to the acre whether the crop he pota- 
toes, cabbages, or grain. Fruit is also bought and sold by 
weight. Notwithstanding the immense number of cattle 
owned by ranchmen, and some milk ten or twenty, enough 
butter is not made to supply their families the year round. 
No State, perhaps, has done more for the promotion of 
education, considering its age and numbers, than Nevada. 
Fine large school houses are erected in every neighborhood 
where there are children enough living to send to school 
ten to twelve scholars. These schools are supported by 
the State fund. A female teacher is paid from $-10 to $70 
a month for teaching a Summer school, which sum Is paid 
in gold, as there is no currency in circulation in Nevada. 
There is a State University at Elko, the county seat of this 
county, which is just opening. Tlie gospel lias not been 
advanced equal to education; for in Clover Valley, which 
has been settled ten years, there never had been a sermon 
preached until I came here, in June last. Since then I 
have prenched regularly somewhere. This is also true of 
Ruby Valley, which is sixty miles in extent. There are no 
organized churches in these valleys, though there are in 
some parts of the Slate — at Elko, Austin, Virginia City, 
and Carson, which latter place is the capital of the State. 
It cannot be expected that inhabitants coining from every 
part of the United States and Europe who come among the 
mountains after silver and gold would be very tenacious of 
morality. As to the Sabbath, it is not generally known 
here as such; indeed, so little regard is paid to it that but 
few know when it couies. All kinds of work goes on the 
same as on week days. Stores, saloons, and work shops nre 
kept open, and it is said more trading is done on the Saobath 
than any other day iu the week. Dissipation in alcoholics 
is common here, which may be attributed to constant ex- 
posure to tlie weather, day aud night.; yet you seldom see 
a drunken man. With all the looseness of morals I find 
the inhabitants have generally had good moral and reli- 
gious influences; but few infidels are found among us. It 
is to be hoped that at some future day the people of 
Nevada will not be behind those of other States iu the pro- 
motion of good morals and religion. 
The two great political parties areabout equally balanced 
in tlie State, each party holding an equal number of offices. 
Gov. Bradley, who is now serving hi* second term of four 
years, is a Democrat, and is said to have been a strong se- 
cessionist during the rebellion, and vowed that he would 
not shave until the South gained her independence, lie 
has never yet shaved. 
Merchandise is much higher in Nevada than in the East- 
ern States, especially clothing, which commands double the 
price, as do bools and shoes, but as nu offset all tlie pro. 
ducts of the country sell in proportion. It costs very high 
for the transportation of goods to Nevada, the freight tariff 
on the Union Pacific Railroad being double that of east- 
ern railroads. Add to this the iuland transportation, and 
tlie cost of goods is increased very much. The teams 
which curry this inland freight are composed of three or 
four spans of horses or mules, or from five to six yoke of 
oxen, which arc hitched to two wagons, one made fust to 
the other by a reach; this is preferred rather than hitching 
tlie animals to each wagon. The conveyances nre con- 
structed stronger in Nevada than in the States. Each vehi- 
cle is capable of bearing four tons, often five or six. Be- 
sides the freight the outfit of the teamster, including pro- 
visions, cooking apparatus aud bedding, mid feed for the 
team, are added to the load. The wagoner now com- 
mences his journey of a hundred or two miles. When night 
overtakes him he turns loose his team to feed on the grass, 
cooks his supper, spreads his blanket on the ground, and 
sleeps as soundly, perhaps more so, than if in a comfort- 
able bed in a house. Many of these men do uot sleep un- 
der a roof for years; they prefer the open uir, even when 
they can as well sleep iu a house. This is not alone prac- 
ticed by teamsters, but iu cases by whole families. Per- 
sons traveling by private conveyances carry their cooking 
apparatus and beds. Hired laborers are expected to fur- 
nish their own beds and bedding. Riding on horseback is 
practiced by males und females in Nevada. Every lady 
lias a saddle horse, which they frequently ride at tlie top 
of their speed. 
The men outnumber the women in Ruby Valley. Among 
all the families there nre uot more than half a dozen young 
single ladies. Young ladies from the Slates who come as 
teachers stand an excellent chance for matrimony. 
Rev. H. Chase. 
For Forest anti Stream. 
THE MEGANTIC DISTRICT. 
I N a former number of the Forest and Stream I noticed 
an article entitled "A Trip to Canada for Fifty Dol- 
lars," on the Megnntic district. The author’s suggestions, 
as far as reaching the town of Sherbrooke and procuring 
au outfit goes, were all right, but the section of Canada 
that he advised your readers to visit is quite remote from 
the Megantic district, of which I now write, und one that 
would give the trout fisher hut little sport were he to visit 
it; for many of tlie best trout lakes there have been stocked 
with that great destroyer of trout— pickerel; while the 
murderous gill net and fishing out of season huve played 
sad havoc among the “ speckled beauties” in the majority 
of the remaining lakes. The section of tlie Province o'f 
Quebec known us the Megantic country embraces the east- 
ern portions of Compton and Wolfe couu ties and tlie south- 
ern part of the county of Beauce, its southern and eastern 
boundaries being the Stales of New Hampshire and Maine. 
The surface of the country is of a rolling character, dotted 
with occasional mountains, the Megantic being the largest 
in the district, aud one of the mountum* in the prov- 
ince. The district U well watered with numerous lakes 
und streams, which form tho sources of two rivers of con- 
siderable size— ths St. Francis aud the Chaudiere The 
former river affords but little sport for the nnglcr, ns it 
only contains a few tnuscalonge, pickerel, and other coarse 
fish, unless we add salmon, which run up the river to some 
of its tributaries for tho purpose of spawning, but they 
give no sport to the fly-fisher, as they will not rise and take 
the fly so far from the sea. The upper waters of the Clmu- 
diere nre well stocked with tlie Saimo fontinulli », and some 
of them of large size. Now, for a route to reach and suc- 
cessfully do this district, make your first stopping place at 
the flourishing town of Sherbrooke, where you will find 
good accommodations at the Magog House. Its gonial 
landlord, Brother Buck, knows how to keep a hotel as well 
ns throw a fly and kill his fish; lie is nlso a persevering 
shot, and has been known to hit his loon at the thirty-sev- 
enth shot. You can here procure your supplies, excepting 
tent and fishing tackle, which, of course, you have brought 
with you, together with your breech loading rifle and a 
large sized revolver and compass. At this point either hire 
a team for the trip with wagon suitable for hauling a boat, 
or go by stage east to the village of Robinson, or “Burg,” 
as it is more' familiarly called, which is twenty-six miles 
distant fiom Sherbrooke. In passing over Sand Hill 
some seven miles from Sherbrooke you have a birdseye 
view of the surrounding country. In front you get your 
first glimpse of the Megantic country, which looks like ft 
vast sea of wilderness. That large, square mountain di- 
rectly in front of you is the Megantic, and that range of 
mountains further away iu the same direction are the boun- 
dary mountains Hint murk the dividing line between Can- 
ada and Uncle Sam’s domains. At the left and further 
away you can just see the little Megantic and Ilam Moun- 
tains. That long range of hills directly at your left are 
the Stake Mountains. Looking in the west you see Mount 
Orford looming up among numerous lesser peaks — the 
highest point of land in Canada; and south of these your 
eve follows the lunge of hills until it encounters Owl’s 
Head, near Luke Mempliremngog, and the Green Moun- 
tains, in Vermont; and, if the day is fine, you may also 
see the far-famed Adirondaeks. When you arrive at 
“Burg" you take possession of Clough's Hotel. You will 
find mine friend Clough a good fellow, and also a true dis- 
ciple of old Isaac’s. He has been my agreeable companion 
on several occasions, and I hope to try conclusions with 
him again on the still waters of Hie Salmon, lie has, how- 
ever, a had habit of jumping out of tlie boat when running 
the rapids, and also in indulging in language more em- 
phatic than classical when left for a couple of hours on a 
“boulder” in the middle of the river to fish iu “fly time” 
without the “tar and oil.” An inward application of 
“forty drops” from your pocket flask on such occasions 
will usually restore him to liis natural good humor again. 
At Burg you can get your land in by whipping the “mill 
ponds;" try the upper one, and you will be rewarded for 
vour trouble with enough small trout for your supper and 
breakfast. If you are not already supplied with a boat 
you can eilher procure one here or run the risk of getting it 
at. Scotston, your next stopping place, twelve miles distant. 
Either go by Pinkham's express or Clough will drive you 
over there. Be sure aud s'op at the new mill, some five 
miles out from Burg, and fill your basket with nice brook 
trout that will average about four to the pound. Scotston 
is a village of two years’ growth, at Victoria Falls, on the 
Salmon River, a tributary of the St. Francis. You can 
procure a guide here for $t .25 per day. We would recom- 
mend Archie MacDonald as a most, trustworthy guide, or 
John Breaden, of Burg; Archie Annas, a college educated 
Indian, is also a good guide if there is no fire water about; 
liis address is Dillon, Quebec.' Pinkliam, the Lord Mayor 
of Scotston, usually lias boats to hire, und will furnish a 
team to haul your boat to tl;e bay or over to the lake at a 
mere nominal sum. While you remain at Scotston occupy 
your tent by all means, and sleep in peace. There are some 
largo trout in the rapids below the dam. and many smaller 
ones of half a pound weight in the pond above. Should 
your visit there be during the month of August you would 
undoubtedly witness some of Hie various methods used by 
the Scotch settlers to destroy the salmon that are stopped 
here by the dam on their way to their spawning grounds in 
the still waters a few miles above the falls. Poor Saimo 
salar / it makes our blood boil to think that after you have 
escaped the many dangers and perils that, have beset your 
long pathway from the sea, that, here, at the near terminus 
of your journey, you are doomed to be blown out of your 
native element with dynamite or be murdered in some other 
equally fiendish manner. Along the northern base of tlie 
Megantic Mountain, five miles from Scotston, is the “bog,” 
a long stretcli of dead water on Otter Brook— a stream that 
empties into the Salmon some three miles above tlie falls. 
If you make but an hour's stay at Pinkham’s you could 
reach the bog for dinner, which you will take about a mile 
above the lauding, at the Old Dead Pine, where you will 
find a little rivulet of good water, which comes down 
sparkling and cold from the mountains. Your camp should 
be three miles up the stream, at the mouth of Mountain 
Brook. There arc plenty of trout in the bog, and some ot 
them will tip the beam at full thiee pounds. You will find 
them the most plentiful at the head of the deep pools 
where the lily pacts nearly cover the water; at tlie mouth 
of the brook, near camp, you may expect some “big fel- 
lows.” The sources of both streams are a couple of small 
lakes a few miles above your camp, and should you visit 
them you will undoubtedly have fine sport, and find Hie 
trout there numerous and unsophisticated; for, to my cer- 
tain knowledge, there has never ns yet been a Hy cast upon 
the waters of either lake. If you have a fancy for n piece 
of venison or moose steak, you may duriug your stay at 
tlie bog gratify your appetite— that is, if you are an expert 
at jack-light shooting. When you lire of that camp return 
to the landing and send the guide for your team to haul 
your bout and traps via Scotston to the river, while you 
fish down the brook to its mouth— a distance* of three 
miles. When you approach the rapids near an old land- 
ing, look out, lor there are some big onesuuiong the rocks, 
and when you arrive at some large pools near the river 
please handle those little flngcrlings, which are constantly 
jumping at your dropper, carefully, for I hey are baby 
tialuto talar. After you reach the river go up tlie left shore 
for a short distance and you will find a spruce bark camp, 
where you will await your guide; then proceed up the 
river about three miles und camp at Cold Spring, Archie's, 
(the Indian,) old camp, at the foot of the lower still water. 
Hie still waters of the Salmon are, together, nine miles in 
length, with a portage of about half u mile between them, 
llie lower still waters afford the most trout, aud are the 
favorite haunts of deer and moose. Your humble servant, 
the writer, in the river a mile above the camp killed his 
flret moose— a flue duy cow. A fewyurds below and oppe- 
