A YEAR IN THE FIELDS 



Much refreshed, I set out with the sun 

 low in the west to explore the outlet of the 

 lake and try for trout there, while my com- 

 panions made further trials in the lake itself. 

 The outlet, as is usual in bodies of water of 

 this kind, was very gentle and private. The 

 stream, six or eight feet wide, flowed silently 

 and evenly along for a distance of three or 

 four rods, when it suddenly, as if conscious 

 of its freedom, took a leap down some rocks. 

 Thence, as far as I followed it, its descent 

 was very rapid through a continuous succes- 

 sion of brief falls like so many steps down 

 the mountain. Its appearance promised 

 more trout than I found, though I returned 

 to camp with a very respectable string. 



Toward sunset I went round to explore 

 the inlet, and found that as usual the stream 

 wound leisurely through marshy ground. 

 The water being much colder than in the 

 outlet, the trout were more plentiful. As 

 I was picking my way over the miry ground 

 and through the rank growths, a ruffed 

 grouse hopped up on a fallen branch a few 

 paces before me, and, jerking his tail, threat^ 

 ened to take flight. But as I was at that 

 moment gunless and remained stationary, 

 he presently jumped down and walked away. 



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