1 



116 STRIKING SCENERY. 



frequent halts to recover breath, the summit of 

 the difficult pass was attained ; the blue lake 

 which we had left, lay as if spread at our feet ; 

 and such was the beauty of the varied outline, 

 that we were captivated into a momentary for- 

 getfulness of our fatigue. But severe toil will tell 

 on the frame, however resolute the will; and the 

 interpreter, who had for several days shown symp- 

 toms of indisposition, became now so exhausted 

 as to be barely able to proceed. The Indians aideid 

 him by lightening his burthen, being themselves in 

 high spirits, from having seen some fresh tracks of 

 deer, which, according to their notions, indicated 

 an early hunting season, as it proved that those 

 ever shifting animals had begun to migrate from 

 the north. The descent towards the river was 

 at first gradual, for the path lay over the even 

 though rounded surface of the rocks. But moss- 

 covered swamps soon followed, and then a pre- 

 cipice so abrupt and deep, that, with no other 

 incumbrance than my cloak and gun, it re- 

 quired all my vigilance and exertion to save 

 myself from falling with the loose masses which 

 slid away from my feet. 



The people with the canoe stood resolutely to 

 their work, and after a slip or fall, recovered 

 themselves with such adroitness, that, after an 

 interval of protracted anxiety, I enjoyed the satis- 

 faction of beholding her placed safe and sound in 



