第 40 节
作者:双曲线      更新:2021-04-30 17:21      字数:9322
  which prevents their ascent of the current。               These are all well adapted to
  the planting of fish; and might just as well be stocked by the Golden Trout
  as by the customary Rainbow。              Care should be taken lest the two species
  become hybridized; as has occurred following certain misguided efforts in
  the South Fork of the Kern。
  So far as I know but one attempt has been made to transplant these fish。
  About   five   or   six   years   ago   a   man   named   Grant   carried   some   in   pails
  across to a small lake near at hand。             They have done well; and curiously
  enough   have   grown   to   a   weight   of   from   one   and   a   half   to   two   pounds。
  This   would   seem  to   show   that   their   small   size   in   Volcano   Creek   results
  entirely from conditions of feed or opportunity for development; and that a
  study   of   proper     environment   might   result       in   a   game   fish   to   rival  the
  Rainbow in size and certainly to surpass him in curious interest。
  A    great    many     well…meaning       people     who     have    marveled      at  the
  abundance of   the  Golden Trout   in   their  natural   habitat   laugh   at   the  idea
  that Volcano Creek will ever become 〃fished out。〃                    To such it should be
  pointed   out   that   the   fish   in   question   is   a   voracious   feeder;   is   without
  shelter; and   quickly landed。          A simple   calculation will   show how   many
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  fish a hundred moderate anglers; camping a week apiece; would take out
  in a season。   And in a short time there will be many more than a hundred;
  few of them moderate; coming up into the mountains to camp just as long
  as they have a good time。     All it needs is better trails; and better trails are
  under    way。  Well…meaning      people   used  to  laugh  at  the  idea  that  the
  buffalo and wild pigeons would ever disappear。        They are gone。
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  XXI
  ON GOING OUT
  The     last  few   days    of  your    stay   in  the  wilderness     you    will   be
  consumedly anxious to get out。            It does not matter how much of a savage
  you   are;   how   good   a   time   you   are   having;   or   how   long   you   have   been
  away from civilization。         Nor does it mean especially that you are glad to
  leave the wilds。       Merely does it come about that you drift unconcernedly
  on   the   stream   of   days   until   you   approach   the   brink   of   departure:   then
  irresistibly the current hurries you into haste。          The last day of your week's
  vacation; the   last three   of your   month's   or   your summer's   or   your   year's
  outing;these      comprise    the   hours   in  which    by   a  mighty   but   invisible
  transformation       your   mind    forsakes    its  savagery;   epitomizes     again    the
  courses of social evolution; regains the poise and cultivation of the world
  of men。      Before that you have been content; yes; and would have gone on
  being content for as long as you please until the approach of the limit you
  have set for your wandering。
  In effect this transformation from the state of savagery to the state of
  civilization is very abrupt。        When you leave the towns your clothes and
  mind     are   new。    Only     gradually    do   they   take   on   the  color   of   their
  environment;   only   gradually   do   the   subtle   influences   of   the   great   forest
  steal   in   on   your   dulled   faculties   to   flow   over   them   in   a   tide   that   rises
  imperceptibly。       You glide as gently from the artificial to the natural life as
  do the forest shadows from night to day。             But at the other end the affair is
  different。     There     you   awake     on   the  appointed     morning     in  complete
  resumption of your old attitude of mind。              The tide of nature has slipped
  away from you in the night。
  Then you arise and do the most wonderful of your wilderness traveling。
  On   those   days   you   look   back   fondly;   of   them   you   boast   afterwards   in
  telling   what   a   rapid   and   enduring   voyager   you   are。   The   biggest   day's
  journey I ever undertook was in just such a case。                We started at four in
  the morning through a forest of the early spring…time; where the trees were
  glorious overhead; but the walking ankle deep。              On our backs were thirty…
  pound     burdens。     We     walked    steadily   until  three   in  the  afternoon;    by
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  which   time   we   had   covered   thirty   miles   and   had   arrived   at   what   then
  represented      civilization     to  us。   Of    the  nine    who    started;   two   Indians
  finished an hour ahead; the half breed; Billy; and I staggered in together;
  encouraging each other by words   concerning the   bottle of   beer we   were
  going to buy;   and the   five white men   never got   in at all until after nine
  o'clock   that   night。     Neither   thirty   miles;   nor   thirty   pounds;   nor   ankle…
  deep   slush   sounds   formidable   when   considered   as   abstract   and   separate
  propositions。
  In your first glimpse of the civilized peoples your appearance in your
  own eyes will undergo the same instantaneous and tremendous revulsion
  that has already taken place in your mental sphere。                  Heretofore you have
  considered yourself as a decently well appointed gentleman of the woods。
  Ten   to   one;   in   contrast   to   the   voluntary   or   enforced   simplicity   of   the
  professional woodsman you have looked on your little luxuries of carved
  leather   hat…band;   fancy   knife   sheath;   pearl…handled   six…shooter;   or   khaki
  breeches as giving you slightly the air of a forest exquisite。                   But on that
  depot   platform   or   in   presence   of   that   staring   group   on   the   steps   of   the
  Pullman; you suddenly discover yourself to be nothing less than a disgrace
  to your bringing up。         Nothing could be more evident than the flop of your
  hat;   the   faded;   dusty   appearance   of   your   blue   shirt;   the   beautiful   black
  polish of your khakis; the grime of your knuckles; the three days' beard of
  your face。      If you are a fool; you worry about it。               If you are a sensible
  man; you do not mind;and you prepare for amusing adventures。
  The realization of your external unworthiness; however; brings to your
  heart   the   desire   for   a   hot   bath   in   a   porcelain   tub。 You   gloat   over   the
  thought; and when the dream comes to be a reality; you soak away in as
  voluptuous a pleasure as ever falls to the lot of man to enjoy。                    Then you
  shave;   and   array   yourself   minutely  and   preciously  in   clean   clothes   from
  head to toe; building up a new respectability; and you leave scornfully in a
  heap   your   camping   garments。          They  have   heretofore   seemed   clean;   but
  now  you   would not   touch them;   no;   not   even  to   put   them  in   the   soiled…
  clothes basket; let your feminines rave as they may。                  And for at least two
  days you prove an almost childish delight in mere raiment。
  But before you can reach this blissful stage you have still to order and
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  enjoy your first civilized dinner。           It tastes good; not because your camp
  dinners have palled on you; but because your transformation demands its
  proper     aliment。     Fortunate     indeed    you    are  if  you   step   directly   to  a
  transcontinental train or into the streets of a modern town。                Otherwise the
  transition     through    the   small…hotel    provender     is  apt   to  offer   too  little
  contrast   for   the   fullest   enjoyment。    But   aboard   the   dining…car   or   in   the
  cafe you will gather to yourself such ill…assorted succulence as thick; juicy
  beefsteaks;   and   creamed   macaroni;   and   sweet   potatoes;   and   pie;   and   red
  wine; and real cigars and other things。
  In their acquisition your appearance will tell against you。                  We were
  once   watched   anxiously   by   a   nervous   female   head   waiter   who   at   last
  mustered up courage enough to inform me that guests were not allowed to
  eat   wi