6 PEACE RIVER JOE

whom he had acted as guide the year before, gives a side—light to his character and life that is worth recording here.

From his account Sir Francis was not at all a bad chap but, being accustomed all his life to the attentions of his valet, who was then at Joe’s cabin, and other personal servants whom he directed in a military manner, Joe, who had never been under such discipline, took exception to his “trim- mings”, though he paid full tribute to his ability to shoot and fish.

The story related to an occurrence While they were fishing Clear River below Joe’s cabin from a large canoe. The river there is wide and deep in places, a rapid stream that drops from one pool to another in short and long stretches of swift water. Sir Francis stood in the bow of the canoe while Joe sat in the stern and regulated its movements with a long unshod canoe pole. They were drifting downstream with the current. When in suitable water Joe held the canoe stationary while Sir Francis fished. They had not been very successful.

As they passed down a stretch which Joe knew did not usually afford any fish, Sir Francis barked out “Stop”. But Joe did not