THE ALLEGASH AND EAST BRANCH. 
185 
the lines and wrinkles, and appearing exactly like coals 
of fire raised to a white heat, and I saw at once how, 
probably, the Indian jugglers had imposed on their peo¬ 
ple and on travellers, pretending to hold coals of fire in 
their mouths. 
I also noticed that part of a decayed stump within four 
or five feet of the fire, an inch wide and six inches long, 
soft and shaking wood, shone with equal brightness. 
I neglected to ascertain whether our fire had anything 
to do with this, but the previous day’s rain and long-con¬ 
tinued wet weather undoubtedly had. 
I was exceedingly interested by this phenomenon, and 
already felt paid for my journey. It could hardly have 
thrilled me more if it had taken the form of letters, or 
of the human face. If I had met with this ring of light 
while groping in this forest alone, away from any fire, I 
should have been still more surprised. I little thought 
that there was such a light shining in the darkness of the 
wilderness for me. 
The next day the Indian told me their name for 
this light, — Artoosoqu\ — and on my inquiring concern¬ 
ing the will-o’-the-wisp, and the like phenomena, he said 
that his “ folks ” sometimes saw fires passing along at va¬ 
rious heights, even as high as the trees, and making a 
noise. I was prepared after this to hear of the most 
startling and unimagined phenomena witnessed by “ his 
folks,” they are abroad at all hours and seasons in scenes 
so unfrequented by white men. Nature must have made 
a thousand revelations to them which are still secrets 
to us. 
I did not regret my not having seen this before, since 
I now saw it under circumstances so favorable. I was in 
just the frame of mind to see something wonderful, and 
