Chapter I: Front Matter

Transcriber’s Note

There are two spellings of the author's name - Sedgwick and Sedgewick. Both spellings have been retained.

There is a map mentioned, 20 × 30 inches of the canoe courses of Northern Maine but nothing was found in this copy or any other copy of the same publication date.

“Took to his bark upon the pebbled shore,
Those unknown realms of Nature to explore.”

SUNRISE ON ECHO LAKE.]

PADDLE AND PORTAGE,

FROM

MOOSEHEAD LAKE TO THE AROOSTOOK RIVER,

MAINE.

BY

THOMAS SEDGWICK STEELE,
AUTHOR OF “CANOE AND CAMERA,” MAPS OF MAINE, ETC.,

“Hunting is the noblest exercise,
Makes men laborious, active, wise,
Brings health, and doth the spirits delight,
It helps the hearing and the sight;
It teacheth arts that never slip
The memory, good horsemanship,
Search, sharpness, courage, and defence,
And chaseth all ill habits thence.”

JONSON’S MASQUES.

_WITH OVER SIXTY ILLUSTRATIONS_,

AND MAP 20 × 30 INCHES OF THE CANOE COURSES OF NORTHERN MAINE.

BOSTON:
ESTES AND LAURIAT,
299-305 WASHINGTON STREET.
1882.

COPYRIGHT.
THOMAS SEDGWICK STEELE,
1882.

To Lyman B. Goff,
of
Pawtucket, R. I.

Companion on this tour, with
whom I shared its pleasures and its
dangers, its discomforts and
its successes, this book
is affectionately
dedicated,
in token of my sincere regard
and friendship.

Hartford, Conn., 1882. T. S. S.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The start.--Unwarranted assumptions.--Our guides and outfit.--A flimsy wharf.--Railroading of the old days.--Contemptible deceit toward dumb animals.--Commencement of fun on the “Carries.”--We go into camp.--First night in the wilds, Page 15

CHAPTER II.

Moving on.--Pine Stream Falls.--Chesuncook Lake and Farm.--Umbazookus Carry.--A dry ground sleighing party.--Further experience with the horse.--A glimpse of desolation.--Chamberlin Lake.--A vision.--Eagle Lake.--Smith Brook.--Haymoak Falls.--Trout Stories, Page 36

CHAPTER III.

In rough water.--North Twin Stream.--An Indian paddle for future use.--Breezes, blankets, cold and ice.--Spider Lake.--Manifold charms of camp life.--At work with the traps.--Concerning beaver.--We proclaim our intentions, Page 60

CHAPTER IV.

Osgood Carry.--The pack-horse league.--Novel trick in pedestrianism.--Camp on Echo Lake.--Hiram tells a story.--Sluicing a dam.--More concerning beaver.--Camp at the Mansungun Lakes, Page 79

CHAPTER V.

A vision on the lake.--Nichols’ birch-horn.--A midnight hunt under a cold moon.--Calling the moose, Page 104

CHAPTER VI.

Decrease of our provisions.--Face to face with starvation.--Sore trials.--Shoeing canoes.--Through the storm.--We sight the waters of the Aroostook.--“Hurrah!” Page 115