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are so clear, that objects on a bright, sunny day, can be seen to the depth of thirty or forty feet-the angler often finds himself in a state of suspense, between hope and fear, as he looks into the depths of the lake, and sees his speckled majesty darting about the hook, artfully trying the bait.

The irregular form of the lake also, when the whole from some eminence is brought under the eye of the spectator, presents an interesting feature in the prospect. It is wholly embraced within an area of seven miles square, and yet it is so indented with deep bays, projecting points, and headlands, that it presents a shore of about fifty miles in extent, varying to every point of the compass, and marking the outlines of the lake, with a continuous round of graceful curves and angles; all of which are highly embellished by clusters of tall pines that stand upon the points, and skirt the shores, flinging their darkening shadows upon the water-while the . thick wood and level surface, that fall back for some distance from the lake, gives a mellow aspect to the whole, and a highly satisfying indication of the character of the adjacent lands. But the islands that dot the lake with their dark, green forms, in lively

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contrast with the silvery surface of the waters that embrace them, are the most interesting objects connected with this landscape. From fifteen to twenty in number, they vary in size and form, from mere islets that cluster together in fantastic groups, to those of sufficient size for ordinary farms. Ospray Island, lying across the bay, one mile south of Beach and Woods, and half a mile west of Jos. Woods on Ospray Point, contains about thirty acres. This island derived its name from the ospray, that yearly builds her nest and rears her young thereon. Her nest is a prominent object in the view, being some three feet in diameter, and planted upon the top of the highest of a cluster of stately pines; and is so strongly interwoven with boughs and grass, as to resist the wind and storm. The sportsman delights to gaze upon this bird of solitude, as she returns from her excursions up the lake in quest of food, bearing the struggling trout in her talons, while her unfledged offspring, standing upon the verge of their aerial house, with untutored voices and fluttering wings, welcome her return. None disturb her domicile, or question her right to protection.

"Woods' Island, containing about three hundred

acres, lies in the southerly section cf the lake. It has a level surface, fine dry soil, shaded with a clean and tasteful forest of beech and maple. In a warm summer's day, a ramble over this island, enjoying its shady groves, its gentle breezes from the lake, and its charming scenery, is truly delightful. Off its eastern extremity is a group of four islands, of nearly equal size, rising up out of the water, and studding the lake with their high conical forms, and their steep yet graceful shores. To the south the eye ranges along the blue surface of South Bay, until it rests upon the white sand beach that encircles its extremity; marking a line of separation between the land and the water, as white as a line of snow. This bay, moreover, is the favorite place of resort for the sportsman. Here the stately buck, after trying his speed with the hound, is wont to seek his safety by plunging into the water-unconscious that there is a worse enemy at hand, than the brute that hangs upon his track.

"Let the spectator overlook a scene like this, and at the same time bring within the scope of his vision the whole southern section of the lake, with its islands, indented shores, and conterminous forests,

HAUNTS OF TROUT.

217

and a richer and more picturesque view can scarcely be imagined. Add to this the sullen stillness of the wilderness, where nature, unmarred by the hand of man, dwells in her primeval glory-her music the pealing thunder-the eagle's shrill voice-the wild notes of the loon-and the sound of the gentle breeze as it ruffles the surface of the lake—and no man of sensibility can escape the enchantment.

"The inlets of the lake form another interesting feature connected with its scenery. These, for the first few miles from the lake, move sluggishly along the valleys, through which they pass with singular tortuous windings, and of sufficient depth to float boats of large size. In the warm summer months, these inlets become the place of resort for the trout, where they are often taken with the hook in great numbers. They collect in schools around the cold springs that make into the inlets, and if approached with care and skill may be taken out, so eager are they for the bait, to the last, in the school. They will even dash at the hook as it approaches the surface of the 'water, and as the pole from time to time bends under the weight of its load, the skillful angler will deliberately bring his unwary captive to the shore. The salmon,

or lake trout, however, seeks his summer retreat in

the depths of the lake.

its northern section, and

These are usually found in

are taken from a boat, with This is a more

a long line let deep into the water. sober business, and often taxes the patience of the angler, before he feels the cautious bite-but if he is so fortunate as to fix his bearded hook in the jaws of his victim, he swells with pride and glories in his victory, as he plies the reel, or tugs at the line, and with hand over hand draws the ponderous fish into the boat. The largest trout of this description, known to have been taken in the lake, weighed forty-five pounds. Such a prize ought to satisfy the reasonable ambition of any sportsman.

"The Marion River is the largest inlet of the lake. It comes in from the east, and forms the connecting link between the Raquette and the Eckford Lakes. The valley embracing this stream and the last mentioned lakes, extends due east from the Raquette some twenty miles, and terminates at the base of Mount Emmons, which flings up its round head and giant form far above the blue range of hills that stretch on to the southeast. Mount Emmons is the most westerly of that group of high mountains that

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