202 THE ADIRONDACK. 



clear atmosphere — and presents one of the most beau- 

 tiful scenes the eye ever rested upon. When, how- 

 ever, the mountain storm sweeps over its breast, and 

 the confined thunder breaks and bursts upon it, it 

 looks like any thing but a gentle being. 



It is the largest body of water in this wild region, 

 and with a shore as irregular as it could well be 

 made. Though only thirteen miles long and six 

 broad, it has a coast of fifty miles in extent. With 

 its long, wooded points and promontories and deep 

 bays, it would look, to a man placed above it, like 

 a huge scollop. This waving outline completely 

 deceives one, in sailing over it, as to the extent 

 and direction of the main body of water. As you 

 round one point, the lake seems to take a turn, 

 for it goes miles away, piercing the very heart of 

 the distant forest. But, by the time a second point 

 is weathered, a broad and beautiful surface is seen 

 spreading in another direction. Thus there is a 

 constant succession of new views — in fact, as you 

 slowly float along, you seem to behold a dozen dif- 

 ferent lakes, each rivalling the other in picturesque 

 beauty. It has three large inlets, one of which 

 comes from the Eckford, or, as the hunters call 



