CAMP AT LAKE PARENT
No sooner had they landed than Jean announced that breakfast was ready.
"Let's get something into our stomachs before we think of anything
else," said Mr. Waterman.
"That suits me," said Pud, and all the others joined in so that the
motion was carried unanimously.
The party went across a little stream and sat down at a table made of
logs that had been split fairly in two. The middle sides of the logs
were up, thus making a smooth surface, but this was really made a fact
by big strips of birch bark that covered the top. A long seat at each
side of the table was also made out of a split log, while a sawed-off
stump made a special seat for Mr. Waterman at the head of the table.
This table was under a big tent fly. Jean had set the table with tin
plates and cups and a goodly portion of prunes was on each plate. They
set to at once and after the prunes, some good oatmeal was brought on.
To the surprise of the boys, they had milk.
"Where do you get milk up here?" asked Bill.
"Oh, we get it from the mountain goats," said Mr. Anderson, with a wink
to Mr. Waterman.
"We're lucky," said the latter. "We now have four mountain goats that
are getting real tame, though it takes some time to round them up each
morning."
"Why this tastes like real milk to me," said Pud.
"Of course," said Mr. Anderson. "Very few people can tell the difference
between goat's milk and the ordinary cow's milk."
"I'll have to watch you milk them," said Pud. "It must be interesting."
"It is interesting," said Mr. Waterman. "I really think that we'll soon
have another goat around here."
At this, Mr. Anderson laughed heartily, and Pud saw that the laugh was
on him.
"I'm easy," said Pud; "I know I'm easy. But seriously speaking, where do
you get this milk? It's a little thin but otherwise it's O.K."
"It's evaporated milk," said Mr. Waterman. "It comes in cans and is easy
to make, as it requires only the proper quantity of water to make it
fairly good. You'll get a lot of it this summer for that's the only kind
one can have in the woods."
"We're having ham and eggs this morning," said Mr. Anderson. "We're
going to let you have the pleasure of getting your own fish for dinner."
"Oh, Heavens," said Pud. "I'm afraid that I'll go hungry, for I've never
cast a line in my life."
"Well, the lake is full of them, and even a very poor fisherman is sure
to catch a few," said Mr. Waterman.
"That's good news," said Bill. "I'm a novice at the game, but I
certainly am anxious to see what I can do and to try my hand."
"That's the spirit," said Mr. Anderson. "It won't take long for you boys
to learn. As soon as we get things settled a bit here, we'll go after
the shiny beauties."
After their breakfast, the boys had a chance to look around. They were
delighted with the site of the camp. It was on a level spot at the shore
and the camp was divided by a little stream. On the far side of the
stream was the tent for the guides, the cook tent, and the dining tent,
which consisted of the table described before with the big tent fly over
it. Looking across the little stream, the layout was not only very
picturesque, but it also served to divide the camp very well from what
might be called the social standpoint. The guides had put quite a
little time on clearing up the shore so that there was a very nicely
cleared spot in front of the five shelter tents, all of which faced the
lake. They made a very fine appearance. The view from the front of the
tents was very good. The lake opened out, and right opposite there was a
big bluff that shot straight down into the lake from a height of at
least three hundred feet. The whole camp, including the tents for the
guides, stretched along the water front for about one hundred yards.
There was one other feature of the camp which proved especially
interesting to the boys. The guides had broadened this stream which
divided the camp into a sort of pool near the edge of the lake, with a
little log bridge at each end of the pool. Into this pool, they had put
any unusually fine trout they had caught, and already there were nearly
a hundred speckled beauties swimming around in the clear water. Each end
of the pool had been fixed with crossed willow wands so that the fish
could not get out. This pond had proved a never-ending source of
pleasure to the boys, for it must be remembered, that they had
practically never seen a trout before.
"When do you expect Jack back?" Mr. Waterman inquired of Mr. Anderson.
"He said he'd be back some time to-day," replied the latter.
"Who's Jack?" asked Pud.
"He's one of the guides," said Mr. Waterman. "He's a corker. He's been
up in through to Lac Corbeau trimming up some of the portages."
"You'll find Jack the best fellow in the world," said Mr. Anderson. "He
knows the woods like a book and he can cook very well. We won't know
what real grub is until he gets back."
"Can he talk English?" asked Bill.
"Sure," said Mr. Waterman. "He's a Yankee. I brought him up here the
first year so I would be sure to have one dependable guide."
"Well, let's go fishing," said Pud, as if that was all there was about
it.
"All right," said Mr. Waterman, "but first of all, you'll have to be
initiated into the ABC's of fishing, namely, getting your rods and lines
ready."
"What's hard about that?" asked Pud.
"Oh, nothing much if you know how, but quite a little if you have never
set up a rod and line," said Mr. Waterman.
"Get your tackle and come over to the table," said Mr. Anderson.
They were all soon there and under the skillful tutelage of Mr. Waterman
and Mr. Anderson, the boys soon had their rods in readiness. Pud was
much surprised at the care taken by Mr. Waterman in seeing that
everything was ship-shape before he would pass the tackle as perfect.
Pud learned more about reels, lines, leaders and flies than he had ever
heard tell of before. 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."
"We'll need the instruction," said Bob.
They were soon out on the water.
"Let's have your rod a minute, Bob," said Mr. Waterman. Bob handed it
over and his tutor showed him how to cast. Bob was awkward at first but
he was soon casting very nicely. Bob was so interested trying to get the
knack of casting that he wholly forgot that he was on a lake full of
trout. He was therefore very much surprised to feel his fly snatched
away like an arrow.
"You've got one," called Mr. Waterman.
Bob pulled in quickly and his rod bent almost double.
"Give him line, give him line," cried Mr. Waterman.
Bob let out his line and all at once the tension ceased.
"I believe he's got away," said Bob.
"Reel in, reel in!" cried Mr. Waterman.
Bob did so, and the fish made another rush. This time Bob let out his
line and when the trout stopped he began to reel in. He soon saw the
trout near the canoe and tried to pull him out of the water into the
canoe with a motion as fast as he had often done when fishing for
catfish on the banks of a river. He got the trout out of the water, but
with a mighty wiggle, the trout hopped off the hook and disappeared like
a silver streak in the water.
"I didn't think you were going to do that," said Mr. Waterman. "I wasn't
looking, as I was just getting the net ready. The next time, pull him
easily to the side of the canoe and I'll get him with the landing net."
"I'm sorry," said Bob.
"That's all right," said Mr. Waterman. "It was really my fault. The
novice does just what you did nine times out of ten, and I should have
remembered that and warned you."
"I'll remember the next time," said Bob, emphatically.
"I wonder how the others are getting on," said Bob, as he looked around.
Bill was down the lake casting in good fashion. Pud was close by, and
looked very awkward.
"Watch out," said Joe to him, "or you will catch me in the eye."
"Don't worry," replied Pud, "I'm much more likely to take off one of my
own ears."
"Do it like you crack de whip," suggested Joe.
"All right," said Pud.
He gave the line a mighty heave but the fly flew too low and caught him
in the back. It must have stuck in a little, for Pud gave a lurch
forward and, in spite of Joe's frantic efforts with his paddle, over
went the canoe.
"Hold on to your rod," yelled Mr. Waterman, when he saw Pud go sprawling
into the water. That was the last thing Pud thought of for he cast the
rod away and turned to the canoe. Joe was already there. With an expert
twirl, he righted the canoe with but little water in it. In another
moment he was in the back seat, giving Pud directions how to climb in
without upsetting the canoe. Three different times Pud upset the canoe
before he got in. As they started to row back to the camp Pud felt
something sticking him in the back. He felt and it was the fly which had
remained fastened to him.
"Stay quiet, Pud," yelled Bob. "We'll come over and see if we can't save
your rod."
Pud stopped paddling and they soon fished up his rod from the bottom of
the lake.
"You're lucky," said Mr. Waterman. "Remember that rods do not grow on
bushes up here. If you're tipped over again, hold on to your rod. Paste
that right in your hat and remember it."
"I won't forget it," said Pud. "I'll be back again when I get some dry
clothes on. I'm going to catch a fish this morning if I have to dive for
one."
"You dive enough already," said Joe in his serious way.
Bob and Mr. Waterman paddled off and it was not long before Bob had
landed his first trout. It was a beauty, about eighteen inches long and
weighing about two pounds. In another hour he had seven in his basket
and was getting more skillful each time.
"Suppose you paddle and let me fish for a while," said Mr. Waterman at
last.
"Good," said Bob. "I'll be glad to see you do it."
"You won't see anything extraordinary," said Mr. Waterman. "I just want
to show you a few things though. We've kept out in open water. Well, the
best place for trout is near the shore, under overhanging branches, near
rocks or trees that have fallen into the lake. If I had brought you to
such places at first you would probably have lost half your tackle. But,
to be a good fisherman, you must not only know how to cast, but you must
be able to cast accurately."
Bob then followed Mr. Waterman's directions and paddled close to the
shore. With unerring aim, Mr. Waterman cast the fly almost to the
desired inch. It seemed uncanny to Bob, but trout after trout was hooked
and played with a master hand. Only one got away, due to no fault of Mr.
Waterman.
"We've caught plenty," said Mr. Waterman at last. "I guess we won't
starve for a couple of days."
"I should think not," said Bob, as he looked in his basket and saw the
mass of speckled beauties.
Their fishing had brought them down to the far end of the lake.
"That's quite a mountain there," said Bob, pointing to the far shore.
"Yes, the whole country here is filled with just such mountains with
lakes on at least three sides. It is a curious formation, but this makes
it very fine for hunting and fishing."
The paddle back to camp was soon over. They found Bill and Pud also just
getting out of their canoes.
"That's some sport," said Bill. "I have nearly two dozen fine trout. I
hope to be able to cast well before long and then I'll do better."
"How did you get along, Pud?" asked Bob.
"Oh, pretty well. It took me some time to get the knack of it, but Joe
at last said that I was improving. I knew I was, because after a while
he stopped dodging every time I cast."
The boys got out of the canoes and made for their tents.
"Wait a minute, wait a minute," said Mr. Anderson. "We all clean our own
fish at this camp, so come along."
The boys followed him, and under his direction they soon got so they
could clean a trout in no time at all. They then made for their tents,
got stripped and had a good swim.
Mr. Waterman and Mr. Anderson watched the boys from the shore.
"Well, it's fine to have the boys with us again, isn't it?" said Mr.
Waterman.
"You bet," said Mr. Anderson. "They are a fine trio. I only hope that
those who come later will be as agreeable."
"I like that Bob Hunt," said Mr. Waterman. "He's very keen. He took to
casting in no time. He'll be an expert in a month."
"Williams is a fine boy and Pud is awkward, but I'm no judge of
character if he isn't as big-hearted as they make them," said Mr.
Anderson.
"He's a card. It certainly was funny to see him casting. Every time he
cast Joe would duck, and at last he caught himself in the back so hard
that he tipped over the canoe."
"Is that so?" said Mr. Anderson.
Mr. Waterman then had to tell him about the upset and they laughed
heartily.
"He's a good swimmer, so there wasn't any danger," said Mr. Waterman in
conclusion.
"He's good and strong and should make a good man for the carries,"
remarked Mr. Anderson, as he noted Pud's bulky form as he came out of
the water.
"Yes, some good portaging will take off about ten pounds of fat and make
him as hard as nails," said Mr. Waterman.
"What's that you say?" asked Pud, as he turned towards them.
"I was just saying," said Mr. Waterman, "that some good portaging would
take ten pounds or so off you and make you as hard as nails."
"Lead me to it. I'm game," replied Pud. "I came up here not only to
learn how to fish, but mainly to get hardened up for football in the
fall."
"Don't worry then," said Mr. Anderson. "Anybody that charges you next
October will think that he has run into a stone wall."
"How long before dinner?" asked Pud, as he looked longingly across the
little stream where Jean was busily engaged around the fire.
"Not very long," said Mr. Waterman. "Let's go over and see if we can
hurry things along."
"All right," said Pud. "Just give me a minute to slip into my clothes."
Mr. Waterman went over to the fire and he was joined there in a few
minutes by all three boys. They were set at peeling potatoes and onions,
for Joe had three partridges the previous day and they were going to
have a stew. The boys' task was soon through and it was not long until
the smell of the partridge stew and the fresh trout on the fire fairly
made the boys' mouths water. They soon set the table and then went off
to try and get a look at a woodpecker they heard hammering away in the
woods. They had just gotten under the big old tree on which the
woodpecker was busy and were watching his diligent operations when they
heard a welcome call and they broke for the camp. They arrived with Pud
bringing up the rear, puffing and blowing. They then sat down to what
all the boys afterwards stated seemed to them the best meal they had
ever tasted. Partridge stew, fresh trout, hot bread cooked in an oven
that stood before the fire and caught the heat in that way, plenty of
tea and a dessert of stewed apricots formed the menu. It was indeed a
merry party that sat around the table with Mr. Waterman at the head.
The guides were the waiters and they were kept busy bringing the trout
hot and sizzling from the fire to the table.
"I take it all back," said Bill Williams, "I said I didn't like fish. I
meant the kind we get in the city. 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.
At last, filled to repletion, they leaned back and began a general
conversation.
"I know one thing," said Pud, with a sigh.
"What's that?" asked Bill.
"I'll never take off any weight here. I've just eaten enough to feed a
family."
"Don't worry," said Mr. Waterman. "You'll need all the food you get when
you're carrying a canoe across some of the portages we'll be on this
summer."
"We'll take it easy for an hour, and then let us all get busy and get
out balsam boughs for our beds. Mr. Waterman and I have a pretty good
lot already, but a little more will help. We've left you the privilege
of making your own beds as all good campers insist on doing."
"That's a good idea," said Mr. Waterman. "That will take some time.
There's a lot of cleaning up to do along the shore front also, so that
we'll put in a little time each day on that. We'll kill two birds with
one stone, as we'll get out a lot of firewood at the same time. That
will leave the guides free to make us a landing."
"Where will you get the boards?" asked Bill.
"Leave it to Joe," said Mr. Anderson. "He'll have as nice a landing out
there in a day or two as you would care to see, and there won't be a
nail in it and it will be made entirely with his axe."
"I'll watch them do it," said Pud, with an air of unbelief.
They all then went to their tents and for an hour they lounged around,
dozing and talking. Mr. Anderson then roused them out. They got their
short axes and went into the woods. Each had a big bag and it was not
very long until they returned laden with the fragrant tips. More than
one trip was necessary, but at last all had downy balsam beds on which
to lay their blankets. They made up their blankets for the night and did
various other things around the tents.
"Let's go for a paddle," at last said Bob.
This was agreed to eagerly, and they all got into a canoe and went on an
exploring expedition. First they went opposite and started to climb the
bluff. They found it a harder task than they had supposed, as finally
they had to go back some distance before they could get to the top. At
last they came out on the edge and brought Mr. Waterman and Mr. Anderson
down to the edge of the opposite shore by their shouts. They waved to
the boys and then slowly disappeared in the trees.
"This is some little mountain, isn't it?" said Bob.
"It certainly is," said Bill.
"Let's roll down one of these big bowlders and see what happens," said
Pud.
The front of the bluff was rather crumbly, with big rocks near the edge
looking as if they had been left there by the frost, or rather as if the
frost had pried away their brothers to let them crash down into the
lake. They soon found a big rock that looked as if it would move easily.
Pud found a small tree that had fallen down, and with this as a lever
they loosened the rock and it started down the cliff. It moved slowly at
first and the boys drew close to the edge to watch its course. Down it
dashed, gathering momentum and finally taking along with it into the
water a small tree that grew out from the mountain about half way down.
In their eagerness to see the splash they went too near to the edge, and
the ground began to give way beneath them. Bob, as usual, was the first
to act. He bumped Bill back with his shoulder and then caught Pud's coat
just as it was disappearing. Bill, quick-witted also, rushed to his
assistance, and between them they hauled Pud back, though all three were
on the ground and nearly over the edge before the two could stop the
heavy Pud. A yell from the opposite shore told them that Mr. Waterman
and Mr. Anderson had seen their predicament. Bob and Bill held on and
slowly pulled Pud up to them. When all three at last arose, probably
only a minute later, they were bathed in perspiration, as they had all
been under a terrible physical strain.
"That was a close shave," said Pud, as he walked over to the edge to
look down.
"Come back, you crazy Indian. Don't you know that it was your weight
that caused the trouble before, and there you are, trying to tempt fate
again," said Bob.
"You're right, fellows. I'm some ungrateful cuss. I've not even thanked
you for saving my precious neck."
"Don't thank me. Thank Bob," said Bill. "He pushed me back and then
caught you just as you were preparing to take a high dive that would
have made Steve Brodie look like a piker. Thank Bob. He's always there
with the presence of mind stuff when it's needed."
"Not a bit of it, Pud," said Bob. "Bill is too modest. If he hadn't
caught me in time, you would have pulled me over the edge, so you see we
both owe our lives to him."
"I guess it's up to me to do all the thanking, for if you had not
grabbed my coat, you would not have been in any danger yourself."
"Well, let's forget it, fellows," said Bob.
Just then they heard a voice from the water, and they looked down to see
their two leaders in a canoe.
"We're all right," yelled Pud.
"Don't go near the edge," yelled Mr. Waterman. "It's dangerous."
"All right," yelled Bob. "We're coming right down, so don't worry."
They found the two men waiting for them when they reached their canoe at
the bottom of the cliff. Explanations were in order.
"We saw it all," said Mr. 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. "You will have to
remember not to go too near to the edge of these cliffs up here, for the
frost has made the face of some of them very brittle."
"We certainly won't forget it," said Bill.
"We've had enough excitement for one day," said Bob. "Let's go back to
camp and take it easy for the rest of the afternoon."
"I'll take it back. I'll take it back," said Pud, as he held up his
hands in mock terror.
"What's that you'll take back?" asked Bob.
"That I was bound to put on flesh up here. To get thrown out of a canoe
in the morning and to come within an ace of making a three hundred foot
dive in the afternoon is just about enough excitement to make any one
lose weight. I bet I lost five pounds in that minute and a half when Bob
had me by the coat, and I was wondering whether he could hold on to my
elephantine form; whether the rock would not give way, and whether I
could get back to safety. I sweat like a bull."
"It certainly made me sweat too," said Bob.
"That was because you were under terrific physical and nervous tension.
A minute or even half a minute under such conditions will exhaust one
more than half a day's hard work," said Mr. Waterman.
"Gee, I don't dare write home my full experiences of my first day at
camp," said Pud. "That mamma of mine would be up here taking me home."
"Yes, I guess we had both better let this story wait until we are home,
for it would only worry them," said Bob.
"That's the sensible thing to do, for it is very unlikely that you will
be exposed to such danger a second time," said Mr. Anderson.
The two canoes started across the lake. They noticed the small tree
dislodged by the bowlder. It was floating near the base of the cliff and
had been snapped off like a pipe stem.
In spite of the excitement of the day, the boys had a good appetite for
their supper. Afterwards they sat around the camp fire that had been
made in front of Mr. Waterman's tent and talked of many things. The
guides could be seen lying back on their balsam boughs before the fire,
talking and gesticulating.
"We'll have to go over and talk to the guides some time," said Bob.
"They seem to have a lot to tell each other."
"Yes, they are talkative to-night. Generally they have not much to say
unless you get them telling some of their experiences," said Mr.
Anderson.
"What do you say to a taste of portaging to-morrow?" asked Mr. Waterman
of the boys.
"That's fine," said Bob, answering for the others. "Where shall we go?"
"We'll go up north to a little lake where the water always seems a
little warmer than it is here, probably because it's shallower. We'll
catch some fish, climb a mountain and have a good swim."
"That 'listens' fine," said Pud.
"We'll take a lunch along and make a day of it," said Mr. Anderson. "For
one, I'm going to turn in, as I have been up since four o'clock this
morning, and I'm dead for sleep."
"That's a good idea," said Mr. Waterman.
In a short time, the boys were sound asleep and only the glowing coals
told the starry sky that there human beings were to be found.