136 THE ADIRONDACK. 



water lav like a mirror in which the blue heavens 

 were quietly gazing on their own beauty. After 

 rowing two or three miles, Mitchell remarked it was 

 a good time to start a deer. I hailed the boats, 

 and in a few minutes we were in close consulta- 

 tion as to the best mountain on which to put out 



the dogs. "Anywhere," said P , "will fetch 



one; but that mountain (pointing to the left,) is 

 the best, for the echo of the cry of the hounds 



comes down from it in grand style. I want H 



to hear the echo of the chase along its sides 

 once, — it is more blood-stirring than the sound of 

 a trumpet." Sending one boat on a mile and a 

 half a head, and one back, Mitchell and myself 

 landed the hunter and dogs and took a middle sta- 

 tion. They had scarcely reached the shore, before 

 the dogs opened. Pushing back into the lake, I 

 saw the white hound appear on the beach at a 

 little distance, shoot backward and forward a few mo- 

 ments with his nose to the ground, then utter a 

 loud deep cry. "All," said I to myself, "that has 

 started at least one 'noble stag,' from his couch of 

 leaves, and he stands this moment with dilated 

 nostril and extended neck, while a pansr of terror 



