Bob Hunt in Canada | Page 3

I can see in your eyes that you're going to Canada."
"You bet I am," said Bill, swelling up his chest. "I talked mother over and she even got enthusiastic before I got through. Father was all right as soon as mother felt satisfied."
"Let's write Bob to-day that we'll be with him," said Pud.
"Don't worry," said Bill, with a twinkle in his eye. "I did that last night and I'm going round to see Mr. Waterman to-night to find out what I'll have to get for the trip."
"I'll go with you," said Pud. "We'll both need the same kit, for I have never been to a real fishing camp before, nor have you."
"That's right," said Bill. "We'll have to get a whole lot of things we didn't have to get for Camp Pontiac; dunnage bags, sleeping bags, tump lines, fishing tackle, a lot of flies--"
"A lot of flies,--why, you dummy, we'll have to take some stuff along to get rid of the flies, from all I hear."
"You big dub, don't you know that they fish with flies?" said Bill in a disgusted tone.
"How do you catch them?" asked Pud.
"Say, what are you driving at?" asked Bill. "Do you really mean that you do not know that they fish with artificial flies?"
"Oh, artificial flies," said Pud. "Yes, I've heard of that, but I never saw any. My father's not a fisherman like yours."
"I should think not," said Bill.
"Well, don't swell up and bust because you know more about artificial flies than I do," said Pud, digging Bill in the ribs. "Before we come back, I'll be telling you a few things."
"Stop your kidding, you small giant," said Bill. "You can't be even sure of going until you see Mr. Waterman. I would not be surprised if they charge you two prices, for they will surely have to get an extra guide to carry the big canoe they'll have to have for you and another extra man to carry extra grub."
"Now, Bill, stop kidding and let me know if you really are going around to see Mr. Waterman to-night, for if you are, I'll go along," said Pud in a serious tone.
"Yes, I'm going," said Bill. "For heaven's sake, don't let on to Mr. Waterman that you've never seen an artificial fly or he'll be disgusted. Thank goodness, you learned to paddle a canoe well and to swim well as Camp Pontiac, for those two accomplishments are really necessary for such a trip."
"I'll be all right in that way," said Pud.
"Well, don't boast, for though you can probably swim better than any guide we may see, they'll show you a few things about handling a canoe that you never dreamed of. Father says that the Lake St. John guides are wonders and we'll be only a little farther east, so our guides should be just as clever," said Bill enthusiastically.
"Gee, it's going to be some summer," said Pud. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
* * * * *
Two weeks later, Bob Hunt, Pud Jones and Bill Williams left Broad Street Station for Canada. They were going to travel to Tadousac at the mouth of the Saguenay River, where they would be met by Mr. Waterman or one of his men. All three boys were big enough to make such a journey alone. The boys had their dunnage bags with them and had practically no other baggage excepting a suitcase. Mr. Waterman had told them to take their dunnage bags right along with them so they would run no risk of having them held up in the Custom House at Quebec. They were all provided with passports, as the big European war was going on and they might have use for this means of identification.
The boys arrived in New York without any unusual happenings, but Pud got separated from them at the Big Pennsylvania Railroad Station and they were worried until they saw his big good-natured form looming up at the train gate at the Grand Central Station.
"Where have you been?" asked Bill.
"Gee, I'm glad I found you," said Pud. "How did you get lost?"
"We get lost, you big duffer," said Bill. "Why, you were the one that got lost. We've been looking all over for you."
"That's rich," said Pud, breaking out into a big laugh. "I thought that you were lost. I know New York like a book."
"You remind me of a little boy," said Bob. "A policeman found him wandering round the Pennsylvania Railroad Station and on going up to him, the little boy said, 'Have you seen my muvver. I think she's got losted. I can't find her any place.'"
"Ha! ha! Ha! ha! ha!" laughed Pud. "That's good, but I don't see how you can liken me to a little boy."
"All aboard! all aboard for the Montreal and Eastern Canada