92 ADIRONDAC. 



it was, — so hospitable and inviting that all the 

 kindly and' beneficent influences of the woods must 

 have abided there. In a slight depression in the 

 woods, about one hundred yards from the lake, though 

 hidden from it for a hunter's reasons, surrounded bj 

 a heavy growth of birch, hemlock, and pine, with a 

 lining of balsam and fir, the rude cabin welcomed ua. 

 It was of the approved atyle, three sides inclosed, 

 with a roof of bark and a bed of boughs, and a rock 

 in front that afforded a permanent back-log to all 

 fires. A faint voice of running water was heard 

 near by, and, following the sound, a delicious spring- 

 rivulet was disclosed, hidden by the moss and debris 

 as by a new fall of snow, but here and there rising 

 in little well-like openings, as if for our special con- 

 venience. On smooth places on the logs I noticed 

 female names inscribed in a female hand; and the 

 guide told us of an English lady, an artist, who had 

 traversed this region with a single guide, making 

 sketches. 



Our packs unslung and the kettle over, our first 

 move was to ascertain in what state of preservation 

 certain dug-out might be, which, the guide averred, 

 he had left moored in the vicinity the summer before, 

 — for upon this hypothetical dug-out our hopes of 

 venison rested. After a little searching it was found 

 under the top of a fallen hemlock, but in a sorry con- 

 dition. A large piece had been split out of one end 

 and a fearful chink was visible nearly to the water 

 Hue. Freed from the tree top, however, and calked 



