Bob Hunt in Canada

by George W. Orton

"Ye gods!" cried Mr. Waterman, as he looked at his watch. "It's after two o'clock. Let's hurry, for Mr. Anderson will think that we are lost."

Suiting action to the word, he plowed along, and though the boys were not sure in what direction they were going, they soon came out on a lake. Mr. Waterman gave a cry, which was answered immediately, not far off.

In another moment they saw Mr. Anderson putting off in a canoe. They all got in, though it brought the gunwale of the canoe down pretty close to the water. Paddling carefully, they soon landed, to find a fire burning, several fish all ready cleaned and ready for the fire, and bread all ready buttered.

"We forgot the frying pan," said Pud. "How are we going to cook the fish?"

"That's easy," said Bob. "Haven't you ever cooked fish on a stick over the fire?"

"Never," replied Pud.

"Well, you have something to learn, then," said Mr. Anderson. "You'll find pointed sticks all ready, so get busy, as it's getting late and we must be on our way."

The boys found the sticks all ready prepared, and it was not long before they were all sitting around the fire, eating fish with one hand and holding another trout over the fire with the other. The two men had often cooked fish this way and they did theirs to a turn, but the boys more often than not had theirs burned outside and half raw within. But their exercise had given them such appetites that the fish disappeared as if by magic. They stopped when there was no more bread nor fish.

"You boys are some feeders," said Mr. Anderson. "I thought I had more fish than we could eat."

"I'm just getting into action," said Pud, as he licked off his fingers and looked around for more. But more there was not, so they got into their canoes and were off down the lake. When they came to the portage Bob took the canoe and marched off into the bushes followed by Mr. Waterman carrying rod and gun. Bill insisted on carrying the canoe back, and he did very well considering that it was his first experience. He also found the going down hill rather difficult, but he soon balanced the canoe properly and had no more trouble. When they got to the end of the trail they saw Bob and Mr. Waterman just rounding the point for camp. They set out after them, but by the time they arrived, they found them already stripped and in the water.