138 THE ADIRONDACK. 



man, that I scarcely knew him. Taciturn, slow 

 and indolent in his movements, I had not thought 

 him capable of sudden excitement. But now the 

 energy and fire of ten men seemed concentrated in 

 him. His strokes fell with a rapidity and power I 

 had never before witnessed. I have seen men row 

 for wagers and for dear life; but never saw blows 

 tell on a boat as did those of his. 



It is true the skiff was light, for it was made to 

 be carried on one man's shoulders across the country 

 from lake to lake — it is true also, that I threw 

 myself on the paddle with which I steered, with 

 all the strength I was master of; but the strokes 

 of Mitchell seemed each time to lift the cockle-shell 

 from the lake. As he fell back on the oars, so 

 rapid was the passage of the boat, that the water, 

 as it parted before it, rose up on each side as high 

 as his shoulders, and foamed like a torrent past me. 

 On, on we sped like a winged creature, when a rifle 

 shot rang dull and heavy in the distance, and the 

 wind lifting the smoke bore it down towards us. 

 "Did he hit him?" exclaimed Mitchell. I dropped 

 my paddle and lifting my glass to my eye, replied, 

 "No, and it is a buck. I see his antlers, and he is 



