As an example of a pleasant excursion from Fredericton, an 
     
     account of a two-days’ journey of some 45 miles up the St. John in 
     
     a motor-canoe is now given, and this could be extended to a trip of 
     
     some weeks, or even months, by exploring the upper tributaries to 
     
     their headwaters. Many of the places nearer Fredericton may be 
     
     reached, and the starting point regained, in a day, or even in half 
     
     a day, and the route may constantly be varied by taking the different 
     
     tributaries in turn. 
     
    
   
   
    
     A start was made from Fredericton in the early morning; and, 
     
     in addition to handbag and raincoat, a bag of fruit was taken to 
     
     give variety to our meals at the farmhouses along the river. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Our eighteen—foot canoe with a 21/2 h.p. motor, piloted by the 
     
     able and obliging Davidson, of Fredericton, started gaily up—stream 
     
     and passed under the graceful iron town-bridge—the sun behind 
     
     thick banks of cloud, and apparently threatening rain. As the 
     
     Clouds screened us from the hot rays of an August sun, we took little 
     
     thought of the dark sky; for we knew by experience that such a 
     
     beginning often ended in a bright and clear noonday. 
     
    

    
     After splendid running for a few miles, we tied up at Springhill 
     
     and climbed the path up the bank to the lumber-camp and boarding- 
     
     house above. Here were roadside inns in the olden days, with their 
     
     quaint names, such as ” Dewdrop Inn,” or “ Rest and be Thankful.” 
     
     Here the jolly and amphibious red—shirted raftsmen used to congregate, 
     
     and here, too, their good-hearted successors make their down-river 
     
     headquarters. 
     
    
   
   
    
     It took a few minutes to prepare our breakfast of coffee, 
     
     toast, fresh eggs from the fine poultry run, and new milk from the 
     
     cows browsing in the pretty tree—bordered meadows hard by. 
     
    

    
     Breakfasting and taking a re- 
     
     freshing draught of cool spring water, 
     
     we regained our canoe, and as the 
     
     upward course was resumed the sun 
     
     burst through its cloudy barrier and 
     
     shone down with cheering effect. Pass- 
     
     ing Percy Bar and the Keswick Islands 
     
     we have an opportunity of testing the 
     
     important question of speed, for in 
     
     the narrower channels the current has 
     
     a velocity of four to six miles an hour, 
     
     and sometimes even faster. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
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