BIRCH BROWSINGS 



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 companions 

 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 favorable sign as I 

 went forward, I laid down my accoutre- 

 ments, 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 suddenly a 

 loud crack at the root. With a celerity 

 that would at least have done credit to a 

 bear, I regained the ground, having caught 

 but a momentary glimpse of the country, 

 but enough to convince me no lake was 

 near. Leaving all incumbrances here but 

 my gun, I still pressed on, loath to be thus 

 baffled. After floundering through another 

 109 



