The Press., 1890-12-18
For The Press.) ECHOES FROM MAINE.
BY REV. EDaARF. CLARK CONCLUDED.

| tFor The Press.>
 l.. ECHOES FROM MAINE.
 BY REV. EDGAR F. CLARK, CONCLUDED.
 'It is not all gold that glitters." One cloud generally passes over the sun, so most foresters will think of something that might have been improved. Edgar, haven t you anything to say on this point? Yes : and, to bring out the bright colors of the trip, will try to relate specimen or two. On beautiful morning the sun laughed us out of the cabin at an early hour, and, taking small lunch, one of the party started out to explore the opposite side of the lakes. Rowing over mile the boat is anchored on promontory that looks like the mainland. Go carefully down the long tongue, only to find sheet of water, di- viding it from the shore. Trudge back, and blame yourself all the way for the stupid blunder. Stroke down your hair, and find your only satisfaction in thinking 1 that some other fellow has doubtless made the same mistake. 'Don't cry over spilled milk, but pick up the oars and take the boat around the island to the true shore. Drag the boat up over the rough powders that line the coast, and ask yourself if l morning prayers" were properly kept Perhaps you started out wrong, and this may be but the beginning of trouble. A little Hurried by the delay, rush off into 1 the woods, and do not be very careful of the points of the compass. One thing is pretty certain. You are giving ample in formation to the deer of your journey, but you will have the benefit of the exercise
 Tree-t tops, left by the ''loggers," do not make very level road, and pulling oneself through brush heaps and mud is fit to be given away to some other man. These woods have about as much game as the top of Bunker Hill monument. Don't get discouraged. Perhaps fortune will retrieve herself before night. Anyway, hunger has put in claim, and you may as well sit down by this stream and fish up that luncheon from the bottom of your hunting jacket. There isn't much of it, but you ought to be at camp in season for good supper, so you have been wise in not drag ging around a heavy meal. One other ] thing comes ill to comfort You do not Illsse to lug game around for other folks. Hurrah !! what is this? :? Good it is a road that leads straight off into the woods, and looks as tempting to our feet as Thanksgiving table to a hungry boy. This 1 road will doubtless come out on the lakes, and so Tighten the journey home. On he goes, one mile, three miles, five miles, when 10, g lake is visible. But this can't be Chain Lake Haven't we wandered over to Old Stream :? The sun is getting low. Hurry up. Where is that compass Look, and see which way you have been going. Let us go north about four miles, No better of than before. One thing is certain. The forester must prepare to lpass the night. Then he ought to go right back to the drift-wood that lay along the shore of the unknown lake, else he will stand a good chance to freeze feet, arms and ears before morning. Hurry, hurry back the four miles. The sun is just sinking out of sight. Do you see on the beach? We'll, pull 1t upon the shore, and be right smart about it. Every minute is worth its weight in gold. Too dark to work any longer, so start the fire on the messy bank. Pull of some of the bark of that white birch wonder. Now you have it. We are not afraid of bears and catamounts, that is, we ain't now. Let them howl. Pile on some more logs, put that Winchester in easy reach, and then commence to toast yourself. Jack Frost is nibbling the back with his white teeth. Turn over. Whats that? Only the splash of a muskrat or an otter. Listen to that owl. He has gone crazy, sure. How hid eous on this awful silence. But now the very gates of pandemonium are opened. Two wild cats are cultivating an acquaint- ance by claws and teeth and tongue. Keep your hand on that rife, for the fight is not far away. Am glad they have chosen to practice on the feline family. Hope they will keep on, so we shall know just where they are. No, they wont. Perhaps they have scented new feast. What does that pair of eyes mean, three rods behind you Better not fire, no matter how uneasy the rife is. Tend to your fire, and let the cat. amounts alone. You arc not very sleepy, are you? Good enough for you. Some. body else is not sleeping, either. Look at your watch. It is only II o'clock. Look at the fire. 'Tis we'll you did, for the moss is all ablaze, and red tongues are darting up your unconscious back. Take I your old hat and whip it out. That wood pile is getting low. The idea of economiz ing wood in old Maine! Phebus, how fate you are in harnessing your solal tsteeds. You went on lark last evening and overslept. You ought to be removed from your stage-line.
 At last the grateful sun shows his fiery Ieyeglasses above the holding spruces Good bye, trouble. Take up tired feet while the7w wolf howls at your side, ani Edrsg yourself back eight miles, over logl and rocks and muddy ravines. Don't bt faint, for perhaps, after all, this is Chair Lake, and miles enough will bring you tt your boat. Yes, there it is. Home never
 seemed more grateful to the sight. Pul 1t down, if you can, to the water. Jus about strength enough left to do it. Dur ing your absence the oars have turned tt lead, or else another man is oarsman
 Never mind.s We reach camp at last
 There the genial Andrew comes to gree
 us. Who is that, with great switch il
 hand. Never mind. The parted wave
 will soon mend.
 Variety is the spice of life" One o
 the party dreams of better hunting grounds and especially the advantage of an expert enced guide. So MT. David Vance, th
 Buffalo Bill" of Wesley, is engaged t, conduct this new enterprise. Loaded witl ammunition and great hopes, Irwin, tn
 cook, helps him to the foot of the lakes
 whence tramp of four miles brings hin
 to the home of that incompatible hunter
 Arrangements made, a journey of nor
 than . half score of miles, with hastil iprepared supply of provisions, brings tn hero of our story to his distant log cabin
 Walk in. You will find few pieces of
 stove, or rather stove in pieces n, lights not even piece of soap, and S3lvv snf,s D..