BIRCH BROWSINGS 



make assurance doubly sure, we engaged a 

 guide, as stated, to give us a good start, and 

 go with us beyond the bearing-to-the-left 

 point. He had been to the lake the winter 

 before and knew the way. Our course, the 

 first half hour, was along an obscure wood- 

 road which had been used for drawing ash 

 logs off the mountain in winter. There 

 was some hemlock, but more maple and 

 birch. The woods were dense and free 

 from underbrush, the ascent gradual. Most 

 of the way we kept the voice of the creek 

 in our ear on the right. I approached it 

 once, and found it swarming with trout. 

 The water was as cold as one ever need 

 wish. After a while the ascent grew steeper, 

 the creek became a mere rill that issued 

 from beneath loose, moss-covered rocks and 

 stones, and with much labor and puffing 

 we drew ourselves up the rugged decliv- 

 ity. Every mountain has its steepest point, 

 which is usually near the summit, in keep- 

 ing, I suppose, with the providence that 

 makes the darkest hour just before day. 

 It is steep, steeper, steepest, till you emerge 

 on the smooth level or gently rounded space 

 at the top, which the old ice-gods polished 

 off so long ago. 



93 



