9o6 
FOREST AND STREAM. 
[June s, 1909. 
ment, any skill we may possess in slipping over 
the rocky places, where a knowledge of the 
bottom as studied at low tide is of considerable 
importance. A defect of memory regarding the 
bottom over which you float is sometimes re¬ 
medied by a very sudden bump rvhich calls your 
attention to the immediate waters. 
A change of weather causes a dull haze to 
form over the river, giving everything an 
opaque appearance. A few high clouds in 
strong sunlight reflect it upon us, lighting the 
shore, which otherwise would be quite dark. 
Often we rest on our paddles and look back on 
the changed perspective as the shadows from 
the cliffs creep further toward the middle of the 
river. A warm wind coming in contact with 
the water, which is a number of degrees colder, 
causes mist to arise, and as darkness ap¬ 
proaches, this induces us to believe that the 
sky is covered with clouds. Soon stars are 
sighted here and there, and finally the moon 
sends her yellow-white light over the water, 
dispersing the mist, as it seems, and placing a 
mellow high light on the landscape, which lends 
additional charm to our pleasant trip home. 
When back at our various duties during the 
week days, whether in the shop, office, or studio, 
there hovers continually above us a vision of 
pleasant scenery, coupled with memories of 
days of unadulterated bliss. Small wonder that 
on the occasion when the river permits during 
the winter, we are out and off to our happy 
hunting grounds. The question of speed or dis¬ 
tance covered is of no concern. It is how much 
on the last trip have we observed or discovered 
SOLID COMFORT. which we had not before been acquainted with. 
The how, when and why of the river keeps 
us upon it throughout the year, and the more 
time one spends upon it, the more interested he 
tions for the production of many artistic articles tinguished, we launch the canoes and again are becomes. At each week end through three- 
of civilization. afloat upon our beloved stream. fourths of the year, and on any day previous 
Time passes quickly in the woods. The A canoe loaded with a reasonable outfit is to a holiday throughout the year, we chronic 
shadows of the cliffs are already forming, and a pleasure to engineer. We journey along the cruising canoeists may be found making the 
the approaching evening induces us to start shore, hugging the rocks as closely as possible shortest cuts from our shops, offices or studios 
toward camp, in due time we arrive and busy to avoid the flooding tide, as well as to bring to our camp of recreation and investigation on 
ourselves in gathering fire-wood for the evening into play for our own satisfaction and enjoy- the river. Theodore J. Cornu. 
and preparing another meal. \\ e finish wash¬ 
ing the dishes after our meal at twilight; two 
good meals each day being quite sufficient, for 
our wants, besides reducing the amount of time 
and labor to be expended in kitchen mechanics. 
Again we approach that glorious time when 
the camp-fire blaze grows brighter and brighter 
as the twilight fades into darkness, and only 
memories remain of the gorgeous day just past. 
With the departure of the sun we creep closer 
and closer to the fire, until now one can feel a 
decided coolness on bis back, while his shins 
are undergoing a process of incineration. This 
soon causes the adoption of a rotation of 
position, sometimes facing the fire and some¬ 
times facing away from it. With a large canvas 
stretched as a windbreak, we feel quite com¬ 
fortable and pass a couple of hours engaged in 
the unending discussion as to what constitutes 
the best all-round cruising canoe, capable of 
successfully meeting all conditions liable to be 
found from the equator to the pole. 
The camp-fire possesses for us a peculiar 
fascination. The light, contrasted with the sur¬ 
rounding darkness, is of course very bright; but 
you can gaze continually into the blaze without 
fatiguing the eyes, and may spend long periods 
watching the flames as they ascend in ever- 
changing forms. 
While thus gazing one is likely to voice some 
thought which is received with silence by the 
others. A glance at their faces shows them 
sound asleep. Acting on this silent suggestion, 
no time is lost in arranging oneself in his sleep¬ 
ing bag alongside the fire, and while he in¬ 
dulges in a few quiet laughs at his comrades, as 
their heads make mad rushes from their 
shoulders toward their knees, as they journey 
from one depth to another in slumberland. 
A few days passed in one joyful span and our 
vacation is over. Our last day is spent as 
usual, except that we strive as much as pos¬ 
sible to banish all thoughts of our early de¬ 
parture. As the late afternoon arrives we 
gather our outfits and place all things in 
readiness. Our last meal over, the packing of 
the canoes finished and the camp-fire ex- following an old trail. 
