BIRCH BROWSINGS 175 



the descent. I noticed that the woods were much 

 thicker, and had quite a different look from those 

 I had passed through, but thought nothing of it, as I 

 expected to strike the lake near its head, whereas 

 I had before come out at its foot. We had not gone 

 far when we crossed a line of marked trees, which 

 my companions were disposed to follow. It inter- 

 sected our course nearly at right angles, and kept 

 along and up the side of the mountain. My impres- 

 sion was that it led up from the lake, and that by 

 keeping our own course we should reach the lake 

 sooner than if we followed this line. 



About half way down the mountain, we could see 

 through the interstices the opposite slope. I en- 

 couraged my comrades by telling them that the lake 

 was between us and that, and not more than half a 

 mile distant. We soon reached the bottom, where 

 we found a small stream and quite an extensive 

 alder swamp, evidently the ancient bed of a lake. I 

 explained to my half- vexed and half -incredulous com- 

 panions that we were probably above the lake, and 

 that this stream must lead to it. "Follow it,'' they 

 said; "we will wait here till we hear from you.'' 



So I went on, more than ever disposed to believe 

 that we were under a spell, and that the lake had 

 slipped from my grasp after all. Seeing no favor- 

 able sign as I went forward, I laid down my accou- 

 trements, and climbed a decayed beech that leaned 

 out over the swamp and promised a good view from 

 the top. As I stretched myself up to look around 

 from the highest attainable branch, there was sud- 



