184 JOHN C. FKEMOJNT. 



lowest stage. At the season of high waters in the 

 spring, it is probable that the marshes and low 

 grounds are overflowed, and the surface of the lake 

 considerably greater. In several places the view 

 was of unlimited extent, here and there a rocky 

 islet appearing above the water at a great distance ; 

 and beyond, every thing was vague and undefined. 

 As we looked over the vast expanse of water spread 

 out beneath us, and strained our eyes along the 

 silent shores over which hung so much doubt and 

 uncertainty, and which were so full of interest to 

 us, I could hardly repress the almost irresistible 

 desire to continue our exploration; but the lengthen- 

 ing snow on the mountains was a plain indication 

 of the advancing season, and our frail linen boat 

 appeared so insecure that I was unwilling to trust 

 our lives to the uncertainties of the lake. I there- 

 fore unwillingly resolved to terminate our survey 

 here, and remain satisfied for the present with what 

 we had been able to add to the unknown geography 

 of the region. "We felt pleasure also in remember- 

 ing that we were the first who, in traditionary annals 

 of the country, had visited the islands, and broken, 

 with the cheerful sound of human voices, the loner 

 solitude of the place. From the point where we 

 were standing, the ground fell off on every side to 

 the water, giving us a perfect view of the island, 



