12 ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS. 



and pine, wliicli largely compose this wilderness, 

 yield iipon the air, and especially at night, all 

 their curative qualities. Many a night have I 

 laid down upon my bed of balsam-houghs and 

 been lulled to sleep by the murmur of Avaters 

 and the low sighing melody of the pines, while 

 the air w^as laden wdth the mingled perfume 

 of cedar, of balsam and the water-lily. E'ot a 

 few, far advanced in that dread disease, consump- 

 tion, have found in this wilderness renewal of life 

 and health. I recall a young man, the son of 

 wealthy parents in New York, who lay dying in 

 that great city, attended as he was by the best 

 skill that money could secure. A friend calling 

 upon him one day chanced to speak of the Adiron- 

 dacks, and that many had found help from a trip 

 to their region. From that moment he pined for 

 the woods. He insisted on what his family called 

 " his insane idea," that the mountain air and the 

 aroma of the forest would cure him. It was his 

 daily request and entreaty that he might go. 

 At last his parents consented, the more readily 

 because the physicians assured them that their 

 son's recovery was impossible, and his death a 

 mere matter of time. They started with him for 

 the north in search of life. AVhen he arrived at 

 tlie point where he w^as to meet his guide he was 

 too reduced- to walk. The guide seeing his con- 

 dition refused to take him into the woods, fear- 



