—it is a white and fleecy morning mist catching the side rays hori- zontally and reflecting them in long pencils of light.

At times the hills and woodland over there terminate abruptly in long stretches of perfectly smooth meadow-land, stretching out like a well—laid carpet, and with only an occasional high tree by the edge to mark the course of the river.

We are nearly opposite the Nashwaak, and paddling across the northern half of the broad St. John we reach the rich meadows that lie at the mouth of the stream upon which we shall soon float.

Gliding up stream with easy paddling, the covered bridge is reached and we thread our way through the loose floating boards and made-up rafts of deal that mark the lumberman’s highway. A little further up, however, a stop is made, for here is a boom of heavy timbers, chained directly across the stream. We soon find a place where there is a clear waterway near the shore, some three or four feet wide, and pushing through this we speed on.

But the rippling murmur of water falls on our ears, and looking ahead we see the wavelets, eddies and bubbles that marka swiftly flowing current. Bending to with a will, and at times using the paddle as a pole in very stiff water, we manage to work our way up higher.

And now another obstruction is met, a boom that completely closes the way, with no water passageway of any kind. And so, keeping inshore and balancing on one of the logs, while using one hand for support against the almost perpendicular bank, we pull the canoe over the boom, step in, and once more proceed on our way.

The lively kingfisher makes flights iii3 Lhc stream in advance of our progress, sweeping down _ at times with unerring eye to seize his prey from under the surface of the water, and then resting on some projecting tree branch he gives oppor- tunity for admiring his comely appearance before our near presence warns him to renewed flight.’ Well up above the water, but skimming the trees and brushing the leaves as he flies, he keeps us company, and soon is joined by other merry fellows that make the way lively.

148