"The lampers do not all die," said Denny, "because they do not all
spawn;" and I observed that the dead ones were all of one size and
doubtless of the same age.

The lamprey is the octopus, the devil-fish, of these waters, and
there is, perhaps, no tragedy enacted here that equals that of one
of these vampires slowly sucking the life out of a bass or a trout.

My boys went to school part of the time. Did they have a good
teacher?

"Good enough for me," said Johnny.

"Good enough for me," echoed Denny.

Just below Bark-a-boom--the name is worth keeping--they left me. I
was loath to part with them; their musical voices and their
thorough good-fellowship had been very acceptable. With a little
persuasion, I think they would have left their home and humble
fortunes, and gone a-roving with me.

About four o'clock the warm, vapor-laden southwest wind brought
forth the expected thunder-shower. I saw the storm rapidly
developing behind the mountains in my front. Presently I came in
sight of a long covered wooden bridge that spanned the river about
a mile ahead, and I put my paddle into the water with all my force
to reach this cover before the storm. It was neck and neck most of
the way. The storm had the wind, and I had it--in my teeth. The
bridge was at Shavertown, and it was by a close shave that I got
under it before the rain was upon me. How it poured and rattled and