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gated hues to serve as figures in the magnificent ground work. It is astonishing how well Autumn understands the effect of light, especially as he works so much in the dark. But there, on the bold spur of that hill, right where the sunlight falls at evening through a gorge in the western range, he has laid on his richest and most gorgeous colors. And when the western sky is melting and flowing into fluid gold, and the glowing orb of day is swimming in its own splendor as it sinks to rest, it pours its full brightness upon that already bright projection, till it is converted into a throne of light.

Thus does this frolicsome Autumn roam abroad, with brush and colors in hand, obeying no law but that of beauty. But while he paints on such a grand scale, and with such long sweeps, and so rapidly, too, finishing millions of acres in a single night, he omits none of the details. Each leaf is as carefully shaded, and as delicately touched as if miniature painting was his only profession.

XXXII.

DIRECTIONS TO THE TRAVELER.

THERE are several routes to the region described in the foregoing letters. One goes by way of Lake George, where you take a wagon to Chester and Schroon Lake. From this point you can go either to Long Lake, or the Adirondack Iron Works.

At the

Another is by way of Westport on Lake Champlain, where you take a wagon to Elizabethtown. latter place, as at Chester on the other route, you will obtain all the information necessary as to the best way of getting into the woods.

Launch

A third route goes by way of Keysville. ing your boats on the Saranac River, you pass up it, carrying your boat around rapids-sailing through beautiful lakes, until at length you cross over to Raquette River up which you can wind your tedious way day after day until you reach Raquette Lake.

DIFFERENT ROUTES.

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On the western side you start from Rome and go to Boonville, thence to Brown's tract, where you take boats for the Raquette, &c. There is another route still, leading in on the southern side from New Amsterdam, the particulars of which I am unacquainted with.

In passing through this region, one should never wander from his guide, for it does not require more than a mile's aberration sometimes to lose one effectually. Neither should he, even with his guide, depart far from the water courses, for it is almost impossible to get through the woods. The quantities of fallen timber scattered throughout the forest in every direction-huge trees lying across each other, presenting an endless succession of barricades and impenetrable thickets, arrest the traveler at every step. A direct line cannot be pursued, and a man might work hard all day and not make ten miles' progress. And more than this, away from the lakes and streams you are not sure of game, especially on the higher grounds. These mountains are silent as the grave-the owl perchance being the only bird you will see in a day's tramp. It is true, deer, bear, wolves, panthers, and moose roam over them, or retire to their summits to

take the cool air and escape the flies of the lower grounds, but you make such a thrashing among the branches, both green and dry, that they are off, long before you come in sight of them. These forests are so dense that you can see but a short distance ahead. A good rifle, a knife, three or four shirts, and a blanket or overcoat, making a package of only a few pounds weight, must be all that you take with you— for, in the first place, your rifle weighs from eight to twelve pounds, and in the second place, you are often compelled to carry that of your guide also, together with a tin kettle, perhaps, or pan which you need in cooking. Over the portages he can carry only the boat, and it would be a great waste of time to compel him to go back after the traps. Your guide must have also a little sack of Indian meal with which to make Johnny-cakes. A small bit of pork is likewise desirable to fry your trout with. Thus equipped, with a good pair of legs under you, a spirit not easily discouraged, and a love for the wild, and free, you can have a glorious tramp-enjoy magnificent scenery -catch trout and kill deer to your heart's content, and come back to civilized life a healthier and a better man.

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