BIRCH BROWSINGS 163 



we should "bear well to the left" when we reached 

 the top of the mountain. This opened the doors 

 again; "bearing well to the left" was an uncertain 

 performance in strange woods. We might bear so 

 well to the left that it would bring us ill. But 

 why bear to the left at all, if the lake was directly- 

 opposite 1 Well, not quite opposite ; a little to the 

 left. There were two or three other valleys that 

 headed in near there. We could easily find the 

 right one. But to make assurance doubly sure, we 

 engaged a guide, as stated, to give us a good start, 

 and go with us beyond the bearing-to-the-left point. 

 He had been to the lake the winter before and knew 

 the way. Our course, the first half hour, was along 

 an obscure wood-road which had been used for draw- 

 ing ash logs off the mountain in winter. There was 

 some hemlock, but more maple and birch. The 

 woods were dense and free from underbrush, the 

 ascent gradual. Most of the way we kept the voice 

 of the creek in our ear on the right. I approached 

 it once, and found it swarming with trout. The 

 water was as cold as one ever need wish. After a 

 while the ascent grew steeper, the creek became a 

 mere rill that issued from beneath loose, moss-cov- 

 ered rocks and stones, and with much labor and 

 puffing we drew ourselves up the rugged declivity. 

 Every mountain has its steepest point, which is 

 usually near the summit, in keeping, I suppose, 

 with the providence that makes the darkest hour 

 just before day. It is steep, steeper, steepest, till 

 you emerge on the smooth level or gently roimded 



