Reaching the banks of the river, Mr. P. was very much pleased by the prospect.  There is a considerable depression in the bed of the stream at one point, and the water runs over the rocks quite rapidly, carrying with it such leaves, twigs, steamboats or other objects that may be floating upon its surface.

Mr. P. immediately perceived the advantages of this condition of things to a a gentleman suffering from the heat, and procuring a boat, he rowed close to the foot of a cascade formed by the inclination in the bed of the river, and throwing out his anchor, revelled in the luxury of the cool spray and the refreshing sound of the rushing water.

[Illustration]

Does not this look cool?

When sufficiently refreshed, Mr. P. rowed to shore, feeling like another man.  With the greatest confidence in its merits, he recommends his plan to those who may be suffering from the summer heat.

After breakfast the next morning, Mr. P. set out to see what he could see.  He did not engage the services of any hackman or professional guide.

He had heard of their extortions, and determined to submit to nothing of the kind.  He intended relying entirely upon himself.  He walked some distance without meeting with any of the places of interest of which he had heard so much.

Meeting at length with a respectable elderly gentleman, Mr. P. inquired of him the way to the Cave of the Winds.

“The Cave of the Winds?  Ah!” said this worthy person.  “You turn to your left here, sir—­ah! and then you keep on for about—­ah! half a mile, and you will—­ah! see a gate—­ah!  Behind that is a man and the cave—­ah!”

Mr. P. thanked him and was proceeding on his way, when the worthy citizen touched him on the arm, saying: 

“Twenty-one dollars, if you please, sir.”

“Twenty-one dev——­developments!” cried Mr. P; “Why, what do you mean?”

“Information, sir; fifty cents a word; forty-two words; twenty-one dollars.”

It must not be supposed that Mr. P. submitted tamely to this outrage, but after a long dispute, it was agreed to refer the matter to the arbitration of three of the principal citizens.  They promptly decided that the charge was just and must be paid, but, owing to Mr. P.’s earnest protestations, they agreed to throw out the “ahs,” as being of doubtful value as information.  The sum thus saved to Mr. P. exactly paid for drinks for the party.

Mr. P. now very sensibly concluded that it was about time to leave, if his editors, his printers, and the employes in his pun-factory were to expect any pay that week, and so he set out for home in the evening, taking a shortcut by the way of Montreal.

He thought that a day might be very profitably spent here, especially if he could fall in with any of the French-Canadians, of whose peculiarities he had heard so much.  The study of human nature was always Mr. P.’s particular forte.