A WILD CAT. 237 



of a mile laterally, from which the current glances 

 away at a right angle, and flows for a mile or more 

 through a natural meadow, which stretches away from 

 either shore, to the width of fifty or more rods, to the 

 woods that bound it. 



Long Neak is some four or five miles in length, by 

 one mile in width. At the upper end of the lake, 

 where the river enters, the land is high and bluff, while 

 in looking down towards the outlet, the eye falls upon 

 a wide, green, natural meadow, upon which stand 

 thick foliaged trees, and as you look upon it, you can- 

 not persuade yourself that you do not see a broad and 

 beautiful farm, with an extensive orchard and brave 

 old elms, left standing as shade trees, when the woods 

 were cleared away. But it is all wilderness, just as it 

 has. been for thousands of years. We spent the day 

 on this lake, and encamped on its bank at night. 



Just before daylight in the morning, Shack started 

 up suddenly from his bed at our feet, and dashed 

 furiously into the woods ; we heard him for a few 

 rods, in hot pursuit of something, and then a clamber- 

 ing, like some sharp-clawed animal, and we knew 

 whatever he had dashed out after, had taken to a tree. 

 We heard a low, intense growling up among the 



