RETURN TO CAMP. 361 



that from either side nearly met under the still bosom 

 of the lake, the starlit sky stretched like a sapphire way, 

 over which we silently glided back towards camp. The 

 mirthful sounds that had rung out on the clear air as 

 we sailed away, awakening strange feelings in that 

 lonely spot, were now all hushed, and utter silence 

 reigned over the hillside towards which our light boat 

 was shooting. Groping our way through the thick 

 bushes, we at length came upon the camp, before which 

 only a few embers were smouldering. All were locked 

 in profound slumber, and kicking a few fagots among 

 the coals, I stretched myself on the hemlock boughs and 

 was soon also in the land of dreams. 



With the first dawn I was up, and descending to the 

 lake shore for my morning bath, was welcomed by the 

 shrill clarion-cry of the great northern diver. How 

 lonely and wild it sounded there amid the mountains. 

 A heavy mist lay along the farther shore and floated in 

 detached masses above the surface of the lake. Think- 

 ing I might steal unobserved on some deer feeding upon 

 the marshes, I jumped into a boat and rowed for the 

 upper end of the lake. But frightened by the strange 

 sights and sounds that had invaded their hitherto quiet 



retreat, they had gone to other feeding-grounds. Soon 



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