SPECKLED TROUT. 133 



out a few incoherent notes. But the bird in each 

 case presented this striking contrast to human exam- 

 ples of the kind, that it was apparently just as proud 

 of itself and just as well satisfied with its perform- 

 ance as its more successful rivals. 



After deliberating some time over a pocket-com- 

 pass which I carried, we decided upon our course, and 

 held on to the west. The descent was very gradual. 

 Traces of bear and deer were noted at different points, 

 but not a live animal was seen. 



About four o'clock we reached the bank of a stream 

 flowing west. Hail to the Beaverkill ! and we pushed 

 on along its banks. The trout were plenty, and rose 

 quickly to the hook ; but we held on our way, de- 

 signing to go into camp about six o'clock. Many 

 inviting places, first on one bank, then on the other, 

 made us linger, till finally we reached a smooth, dry 

 place overshadowed by balsam and hemlock, where 

 the creek bent around a little flat, which was so 

 entirely to our fancy that we unslung our knap- 

 sacks at once. While my companions were cutting 

 wood and making other preparations for the night, it 

 fell to my lot, as the most successful angler, to pro- 

 vide the trout for supper and breakfast. How shall 

 I describe that wild, beautiful stream, with features 

 so like those of all other mountain streams ? And 

 yet, as I saw it in the deep twilight of those woods 

 on that June afternoon, with its steady, even flow, 

 and its tranquil, many-voiced murmur, it made an 

 impression upon my mind distinct and peculiar, 



