306 THE ADIRONDACK. 



From Scott's to Martin's, here on the Lower Saranac, 

 it is about thirteen miles. After passing through a set- 

 tlement of two or three houses, the road goes all the way 

 through a forest of fir trees. We had loitered on our 

 route, so that it was one o'clock before we reached the 

 lake. This sheet of water forms one extremity of the 

 extraordinary group of lakes that stretch a hundred 

 miles through the forest, with any quantity of smaller 

 parallel lakes or ponds, not half of which have ever 

 been visited, except by the Indian or hunter. 



One log-house is visible from Martin's, occupied by a 

 guide, whose little boy, four years old, had just been 

 brought in dead. Playing with a younger brother in 

 the water, he slipped from a log and was drowned. The 

 little survivor tried in every way to help him out, but 

 finding his strength insufficient, hurried home for help, 

 which, however, came too late. As you look down the 

 lake from Martin's, its farther extremity is hid by nume^ 

 rous islands that are sprinkled in profusion over its sur- 

 face. Boats, fishing-rods, and guns are the chief staple 

 here, and I had got but partly through examining the ' 

 different modelled rifles belonging to sportsmen, like v& l 

 on their way to the woods, when I heard the welcome 

 announcement that dinner was ready. Venison steaks, 



