THE NEW ADIRONDACKS 



had died most gloriously. The ' sword of the sun ' 

 that had lain across the forest was withdrawn and 

 sheathed. There was a stillness on land and water and 

 in the sky that seemed like the presence of an invisible 

 majesty. Eastward the lofty pine-trees rested their 

 green tops in an atmosphere whose massive blue seemed 

 to sustain and support them. Westward the rosy 

 tints along the horizon deepened into crimson around 

 the base of the Saint Regis hills and faded into black 

 toward the north. No sign of life, human or inhu- 

 man, was anywhere visible or audible except with- 

 in the little boat where we two floated ; and peace, 

 that peace that reigns where no man is — that peace 

 that never dwells in the abodes of men — here held 

 silent and omnipotent sway. Then came the wind 

 among the pine-trees. The gloom increased and a 

 ripple stole over the water. There was a flapping of 

 one of the lily-pads as the first wave struck them ; and 

 then as a breeze passed over us, I threw two flies on 

 the black ripple. There was a swift rush — a sharp 

 dash and plunge in the water. Both were struck at 

 the instant, and then I had work before me that forbade 

 my listening to the voices of the pines. It took five 

 minutes to kill my fish — two splendid specimens. 

 Meanwhile the rip had increased and the breeze came 

 fresh and steady. It was too dark now to see the op- 

 posite shore, and the fish rose at every cast. When I 

 had half a dozen of the same sort, and one that lacked 

 only an ounce of being full four pounds, we pulled up 



95 



