50 DOCK'S LAKE. 



upon the lips by a luind he could not see, and held his 

 peace. 



At length, sweeping around to the we>t. shortly after the 

 sun had descended below the mountains. 1 went on shore 

 to get one look at the heart, of the forest. .My guide sat on 

 a rock at the water's edge by his bitat drawn up at hi-; side. 

 while 1 alone entered the dense and now darkening wood-. 

 There was something fearful in the stillness. The solemn 

 silence seeim-d like the hush before the billeting of a ^lorm. 

 and the ancient trees frowned from their lofty height >. - 

 I half thought they were gathering up their knotted arms to 

 strike down the curious invader of their sacred h.dl-. A ^ 

 1 advanced, an undergrowth of small trees, in lime to 

 become the successors of the heavy giants above then, 

 does Nature, in man and tree, \\ork out her denial la\\ ! 

 succession and change), impeded my progress, and the 

 darkne-s \\a<-till descending. 



However, such was the marvellous fascination of the 

 hour and the place. 1 pressed on. callin: 1 occasimially lo 

 my guide, and awaiting his responsive call, to ensure my 

 being aide to tindmy way back to the boat. Imt. at length. 

 1 discovered that 1 was walking in beaten path-. Tracks 

 of animals of no mean proportions were behind and before 

 me. All the legends of wolves and bears and panthers that 

 1 had ever heard or read. Hashed upon my memory. ami 

 \\ith one more call to George, I turned and hastened hack 

 to the shore. 



I was content with my one glimpse, by twill-lit, at the 

 forest's great and solemn heart; and having once, alone, 



