A YEAR IN THE FIELDS 



alder swamp for nearly half a mile, I flat- 

 tered myself that I was close on to the 

 lake. I caught sight of a low spur of the 

 mountain sweeping around like a half-ex- 

 tended arm, and I fondly imagined that 

 within its clasp was the object of my search. 

 But I found only more alder swamp. After 

 this region was cleared, the creek began to 

 descend the mountain very rapidly. Its 

 banks became high and narrow, and it went 

 whirling away with a sound that seemed to 

 my ears like a burst of ironical laughter. I 

 turned back with a feeling of mingled dis- 

 gust, shame, and vexation. In fact I was 

 almost sick, and when I reached my com- 

 panions, after an absence of nearly two 

 hours, hungry, fatigued, and disheartened, 

 I would have sold my interest in Thomas's 

 Lake at a very low figure. For the first 

 time, I heartily wished myself well out of 

 the woods. Thomas might keep his lake, 

 and the enchanters guard his possession ! 

 I doubted if he had ever found it the second 

 time, or if any one else ever had. 



My companions, who were quite fresh, 

 and who had not felt the strain of baffled 

 purpose as I had, assumed a more encourag- 

 ing tone. After I had rested awhile, and 



