DIFFERENT ROUTES. 287 



On the western side you start from Rome and go to 

 Boonville, thence to Brown's tract, where you take 

 boats for the Raquette, &c. There is another route 

 still, leading in on the southern side from New Am- 

 sterdam, the particulars of which I am unacquainted 

 with. 



In passing through this region, one should never 

 wander from his guide, for it does not require more 

 than a mile's aberration sometimes to lose one effectu- 

 ally. Neither should he, even with his guide, depart 

 far from the water courses, for it is almost impossible 

 to get through the woods. The quantities of fallen 

 timber scattered throughout the forest in every direc- 

 tion — huge trees lying across each other, presenting 

 an endless succession of barricades and impenetrable 

 thickets, arrest the traveler at every step. A direct 

 line cannot be pursued, and a man might work hard 

 all day and not make ten miles' progress. And more 

 than this, away from the lakes and streams you are 

 not sure of game, especially on the higher grounds. 

 These mountains are silent as the grave — the owl 

 perchance being the only bird you will see in a day's 

 tramp. It is true, deer, bear, wolves, panthers, and 

 moose roam over them, or retire to their summits to 



