198 BIRCH BROWSINGS. 



panions that we were probably above the lake, and 

 that this stream must lead to it. " Follow it," they 

 Baid ; " we will wait here till we hear from you." 



So I went on, more than ever disposed to believe 

 that we were under a spell, and that the lake had 

 slipped from my grasp after all. Seeing no favorable 

 sign as I went forward, I laid down my accoutre- 

 ments, and climbed a decayed beech that leaned out 

 over the swamp and promised a good view from the 

 top. As I stretched myself up to look around from 

 the highest attainable branch, there was suddenly a 

 loud crack at the root. With a celerity that would 

 at least have done credit to a bear, I regained the 

 ground, having caught but a momentary glimpse of 

 the country, but enough to convince me no lake was 

 near. Leaving all incumbrances here but my gun, I 

 still pressed on, loath to be thus baffled. After 

 floundering through another alder-swamp for nearly 

 half a mile, I flattered myself that I was close on to 

 the lake. I caught sight of a low spur of the mount- 

 ain sweeping around like a half extended arm, and I 

 fondly imagined that within its clasp was the object 

 of my search. But I found only more alder-swamp. 

 After this region was cleared, the creek began to 

 descend the mountain very rapidly. Its banks be- 

 came high and narrow, and it went whirling away 

 with a sound that seemed to my ears like a burst of 

 ironical laughter. I turned back with a feeling of 

 mingled disgust, shame, and vexation. In fact I was 

 almost sick, and when I reached my companions, afte? 



