George W. Orton

“ They hurried him back to the hut and in a few days Joe was none the worse for his experience except for the painful wound on his leg made by the champion high jumper of the pack."
"Are there any wolves up here now?" asked Pud, as he looked out into the forest with its dark avenues of trees.
"Not so many," replied Mr. Anderson, "but Sandy, down at Escoumains, told me the other day that they were getting numerous again, and that a bounty had once more been put on their heads."
"Don't be dreaming of wolves and pounce on me again, as you did when dreaming of bears," laughed Bob. ”

“ They have time to think over life and its many chances, and they get to know things at their true worth. That is why men who are brought up near to nature are always such good judges of character either in men, women, or animals."
"Now we are philosophizing," said Mr. Anderson. "I think you're right, though, for practically the only true philosophers that I have ever known are men of the woods. Pierre is a good example of this. His views of life and death would do credit to Dr. Talmage or any other of our great preachers."
"Well, all I can say is this," said Pud, "I'm glad I'm here." ”

“ The trout was hot and all three boys stated that they had never tasted anything better in their lives. They all meant it too. At their praise, Joe's face lighted up, for he was proud of his cooking. They formed a real woodsman picture as they sat or squatted around the fire eating their supper without the use of plates or a table. The picture was rather out of harmony, for the Indian and the Frenchman were the typical woodsmen, the two older men hardened fishermen, but even the merest novice could see that the three boys were unused to the woods and their present surroundings. ”

“ Indians are just ordinary human beings and that is all."
"I don't know about that," said Pud. "That young Jean is some boy for his age. He can follow a trail just like the Indians we read of, and he knows all about the woods, animals, birds and all that. He's certainly like the Indians we read of in history."
"Yes," said Bob. "Jean is a fine specimen. He has all the good points of our ancestors, the real aborigines, without their failings."
"But what about Pierre? You were talking a long time with him, Bob," said Bill. ”

“ In a little while they were all three out on the lake casting like veterans. Bob was in one canoe alone while Pud paddled Bill in the other canoe. In a very short time they had over thirty fine trout, and at a shout from Jack they came back to camp.
"Well, did you have any luck?" asked Jack, as they came to the shore.
"Bully!" said Bob. "This lake is full of trout as fine as I have ever seen."
"No wonder," replied Jack. "There is no one here to catch them, and they keep on increasing." ”

“ In some places, trying to do harm to Canada," said Mr. Waterman.
"This bad man, a German?" asked Pierre, as his eyes lighted up.
"Yes," replied Bob.
"Where he go?" asked Pierre.
"We, Americans, have no war with Germans. He goes that way," said Mr. Waterman, pointing up the trail. In another moment Pierre was lost to view.
"What do you think of that?" said Jack. "I think I'll tag along behind for fear he gets hurt."
"Things certainly have come with a rush," said Mr. Waterman. "Suppose you follow Pierre, so that if the German gets him that you will be there to lend aid." ”

“ Waterman. "That makes the river run fast, and it is easy to cover distance under such circumstances."
"It's been the best day that I have ever spent," declared Bob, as they stepped out of the canoe on a fine sandy beach, where they were going to spend the night.
"I've enjoyed every minute of it," said Mr. Waterman. "Fast water makes very fascinating sport. It's the danger, I suppose."
"It's dangerous, all right," said Bob. "If we had been tipped over going down that Devil's Cauldron, it would have been five to one against our ever getting out." ”

“ When they came to the next rapids Joe told Mr. Waterman that he knew these rapids well and that it would be necessary to portage. Joe said that it was a full hour's portage, meaning that it was nearly two miles. They landed and were soon headed up the stream, laden with their canoes and duffle bags. It was hard work, though they found a well-beaten trail leading up the river. They got glimpses of the cool waters of the Escoumains as it dashed foaming from rock to rock. They could hardly admire the scenery, for they were all well weighed down with their packs or canoes. ”

“ At last they were all ready.
"I'll paddle, Bob. You, Mr. Anderson, take Bill and I'll have Joe look after Pud," said Mr. Waterman.
"What's the idea?" asked Bill.
"Fishing in this lake, two generally go together, one paddling and the other casting," said Mr. Waterman.
"That would be the best way to-day in any case," said Mr. Anderson. "We can each show the boys how to cast and, in fact, give them a lesson in the art of trout fishing. When you see Joe here, or Jack or Mr. Waterman casting, boys, you will agree with me that real trout fishing is an art." ”

“ Bob was telling us some of the experiences that Pierre has had in his winter hunting," replied Bill.
"Pierre has certainly had some interesting experiences. It is rarely that one can get him to talk, but when he does he always has something worth telling," said Mr. Anderson.
"Yes, and he relates incidents of the most desperate character in that same colorless tone, just as if they were the most ordinary routine," said Mr. Waterman.
"Say, Bob, tell us the bear story you promised?" demanded Pud. ”

“ The fact of the matter was that Pud and Bill had asked Bob to tell them what the guides had told him the previous evening. As they sat up on the mountain, they looked far off to the south and saw the mighty St. Lawrence dividing the country as if with a giant silver knife.
"The Indians have had lots of experiences up north of here, hunting and trapping in the winter time," Bob began.84
"What did Pierre tell you?" asked Pud. "Has he ever scalped any one?"
"You big dub," said Bill. "Indians don't go on scalping expeditions any more." ”

“ Waterman, "for when that rock started down that cliff it made such a racket that we rushed down to the shore. We felt like yelling at you to get back, but just as the thought occurred to us, we saw the rock under your feet giving way. Then Bob knocked Bill back and caught Pud's coat. We thought it was all over with the two of you, but Bill recovered his balance just in time to grab Bob and, I tell you, we sweat some while you were tugging to get Pud back, for it was a wonder that the rock under you did not give way and let you all down."
"You're a plucky lot of boys," said Mr. Anderson. ”

“ Waterman broke in by asking Joe if this was not the lake where he had had such an experience with wolves some years before. Joe nodded. The boys immediately wanted to know the story. Bob sat down by Joe and was soon lost as he listened to the vivacious tale of the French habitant.
"That isn't fair," said Bill, to no one in particular.
"What isn't fair?" asked Mr. Anderson.
"Why, Bob knows French, so he is having Joe tell him the wolf story. We'd like to know that too."
"It is really a fairly common occurrence; at least was some years ago in this country," said Mr. Anderson. ”

“ But—this trout is fit for the gods. It is certainly good."
"You're right," said Pud. "I didn't think that any fish could taste so good."
"My sentiments, too," said Bob, "and as for this partridge stew, there's only one thing the matter with it and that there isn't enough of it."
"That's something we don't have every day, but we have the fish always and we never get tired of it," said Mr. Anderson. ”

“ As Bob and Pud came back to the camp they found Jack out on a log casting. The woods were back of him and almost directly above him, but in some uncanny way he managed to cast his fly just where and just as far as he wanted to. As they came by he showed them a dozen fine specimens that he had hooked.
"Why go so far from camp?" said he, in his quizzical way. "They bite just as good here."124
"For you," said Bob. "You're a wizard with the fly, but for a poor novice like myself it is better to seek the fish where they are pretty sure to be found. ”

“ Joe stated that he had to spend a week in that house before he was strong enough to walk. Howling Wolf's leg got all right and Joe was soon as strong as ever.
"Three weeks after his almost fatal trip, he was off to the north again with another Indian and a week or more later returned with the pelts that had been bought almost with his life's blood. 'But,' concluded Joe, 'I would give all the pelts I get in one-two-yessair, three wintaire, if I not kill my dear dog, Marie, I love so well.'"
"Joe must have been some hardy youth twenty years ago," said Mr. Waterman. ”

“ After a few trips of this kind, you will qualify as an expert canoeist."
"That's very kind of you to say so," replied Bob. "I know though that if I had hit that water with Pud or Bill that we would have been swimming long before now."151
"Well, it does help to have an old stager like me in the back end of the canoe," said Mr. Waterman with quiet satisfaction. "To tell the truth, that is really an easy stretch of water. If you ever go through some of the rapids on the Shipshaw River or some of the larger rivers of this country, you will know what fast water really means. ”

“ They think there are just as many French all over as they find in those cities. The fact is that outside of the province of Quebec, Canada is just as much an English-speaking country as the United States.
"Is that so?" said Pud. "Why didn't we go, then, to some place where they talk sense? I'm going to have a fine time getting along with these fellows. I can't talk French."
"Get busy and you'll learn a lot this summer," said Bob. "Mr. Waterman told me that two of the guides talk English a little, so we'll get along all right."
"I'm glad they talk English," said Bill. ”

“ Waterman made this known one evening, stating that he thought that he would go out through an old Indian trail that had not been used for some years.
"This trail is much shorter than by the road, and, if we can open it up, it will be a fine thing for us."
"Yes, and it will be a fine thing for the habitants at Escoumains," said Mr. Anderson.
"I hadn't thought of that," said Mr. Waterman reflectively. "If we get too good a road in here they will be coming in themselves and bringing their friends."
"You bet they will," said Jack. ”

“ Waterman. I would not be surprised if they charge you two prices, for they will surely have to get an extra guide to carry the big canoe they'll have to have for you and another extra man to carry extra grub."
"Now, Bill, stop kidding and let me know if you really are going around to see Mr. Waterman to-night, for if you are, I'll go along," said Pud in a serious tone.
"Yes, I'm going," said Bill. "For heaven's sake, don't let on to Mr. Waterman that you've never seen an artificial fly or he'll be disgusted. ”

“ Waterman. "Jack's not very big, but he can tote quite a load over the hardest kind of portage. He's a wonder with the axe, and he can cook like a French chef. You'll find that out to-night."69
After a fine swim and bath the boys were quite content to lie around their tents until they heard the welcome call to supper.
"I feel as empty as a barrel," said Pud, as he walked over to the table. "Gee, I'm stiff. I won't be able to get out of my blankets to-morrow."
"That just shows how soft you are," said Bob. "I'm a little stiff myself, but not very much. The back of my neck is sore." ”

“ Such is the way of the wilderness. Men get to see that every one must do his share and a little discomfort is scoffed at. The boys enjoyed the early morning paddle through the two lakes, while the portaging of the canoes was by this time mere child's play to them. They really thought nothing about it and took their turn when traveling light just as a matter of course. The improvement in Pud was the most noticeable. He had lost weight and was quicker on his feet and handled himself much better. They arrived at the ford to find Mr. Waterman busy getting everything ready to move out. ”

“ I pity Pud if he gets in the drink," said Bill.
The next morning, the guides and their two leaders took the greatest precautions in binding up the duffle bags and the grub. Everything was folded so that even though they might be capsized, there would be little risk of their kits and grub.
"You are making preparations as if you expect trouble," said Bob to Mr. Waterman.
"Not especially," was the reply. "It is always best to be ready for anything in fast water. A broken paddle, just a mistake in judgment, may spell disaster. ”

“ He was only about a mile and a half away from their shack, and he knew that if he did not turn up, that sooner or later Pierre would be out to hunt him.
"But, can you imagine how pleasant it must be to be up in a tree, with broken gun, a dozen hungry wolves beneath you and a cold night coming on? Already Joe began to get very cold, for in his race across the lake through the heavy snow he had broken out into a heavy perspiration. As darkness came down he could feel the cold hand of King Frost, as it were, reaching for him and trying to throw him down to the beasts below. ”

“ Anderson.
"That's true," broke in Pud, "but when you have a fine cook and hunger too, then there is real enjoyment in eating even the most simple fare."
"Well said, old top," remarked Bill. "'But first tell me when you got to be a philosopher."123
"The best time to philosophize," said Mr. Waterman, "is just after such a meal as we have had. Then there is such a sense of bodily satisfaction that everything else appears to us as if detached from our own selves. The true philosophers are the woodsmen. ”

“ Waterman. "The outlet of this lake leads directly north, so that we shall hit the Portneuf River some seventy miles from its mouth. They journeyed on, and by that night they had reached the river.
"We'll have some fast water that we had not counted on when we left," said Mr. Waterman.
"Very fast rapide," assented Pierre.
"Can we make them?" asked Pud.
"Can a duck swim?" replied Mr. Waterman, with a merry twinkle in his eye that betokened that he was ready for the fun ahead.
"Are these the rapids you told me of?" asked Bob.
"You bet," said Mr. Waterman. ”