rt distance away, and known to every
person who had ever visited the Lake. On our arrival the pious Mr.
Woodward offered up to the Great Ruler of wind and water a prayer for
our safe deliverance from a watery grave. As we had not partaken of
any nourishment since early morning, it was proposed that we should
eat something, which was readily agreed to, and in a short time we had
gotten through that part of our work, whereupon my father said he
would try his luck fishing. So taking a small boat, which he found at
"Jack's Landing," placing me in it and then getting in himself, he
started for some good place to commence. He fished awhile at the
"Forked Gum" without any success; moved to the "Stooping Pine" with a
like result. He began to think that it was the wrong moon, and leaving
that place he paddled for the "Three Cypresses," where he caught some
very fine fish. It was now getting late in the afternoon, and as he
expected to make an early start the next morning, he thought it best
to return to the camp, heading his boat in that direction he soon
reached the landing: having but a short distance to walk, we were not
long in reaching it. Mr. Woodward had gone out to inspect some lumber
and it was getting time for his return. We did not have long to wait.
He soon came in, and looking at my father's "Fish Gourd," remarked:
"Neddie, you have had fine sport; where did you catch so many such
large Frenchmen?" "Friend Jimmy," my father replied, "when I started
my first experiment was at the 'Forked Gum,' and I did not get a
nibble. I left it and stopped at the 'Stooping Pine' with the same
success. I began to think that I was fishing on the wrong moon." "Oh!
Neddie," rejoined Mr. Woodward, "there is nothing in the phases of
the moon. You are not a good fisherman. I can take you to the 'Forked
Gum' and 'Stooping Pine' and astonish you." "After leaving the
'Stooping Pine,'" continued my father, "I made for the 'Three
Cypresses,' and it was there that I caught these fine perch."
"Neddie," said Mr. Woodward, "you are not such a bad fisherman after
all. Your success would do credit to the best." My father proposed to
Mr. W. that we should have some of the fish cleaned and cooked for
supper. The necessary order being given, in a short time a sufficient
number were ready for the pan. A hot fire was made of juniper logs,
and frying of fish commenced. In a short time we were told to get our
shingles ready, that being the only kind of pla