Asquam Lake and its Environs. *jq
grew crimson around him, and he We return by the other side of the
sank with a despairing wail in the lake, and the most remarkable thing
mad waves. Amata reached a ledge, we notice is the changed asi)ect of
and struggling upon the rock, stretched the mountains, as we view them from
forth her round arms towards the different points. Only a very expert
shore. Appalachian can sling names around
May the lightning blast the fair, the whole bristling horizon. But that
false wanton," cried Maraon, — pray- is Kearsarge's historic peak we dis-
ing, "Let Manitou make of her a cern in the far south, beyond a doubt,
signal and example to coming time." That bald granite crown is unmis-
Even as he spoke there came a takable anywhere. A breeze springs
vivid flash, followed by a thunder up, and it grows cool. We are glad
peal that seemed to shake the earth we brought our summer overcoats
to its very centre, and through the with us. The nights are uniformly
storm and darkness pierced the shrill cool around the lake, although the
voice of despair. Manitou had an- middle of the day may be compara-
swered the chieftain's prayer. tively hot. Up there nothing is
For ages and ages the Indian, known practically of the heat as it is
roaming around the lake pointed to felt in the great cities. Blankets are
the stone image as the form of the not to be despised at night, and
hapless Araata, petrified by God's woollen clothing cannot long be dis-
judgraent in her wanton flight, and pensed with. For perfect beauty and
there it remained till the white men healthfulness there are few places so
came. Such is the story of the stone richly endowed. Everv day affords
squaw and of Squaw cove. a feast for the eye and the soul.
Once more on the lake ; — how beau- Though eventless in one sense, our
tiful the scene ! Did you ever see lives are crowded with events. It is
more fairy-like islands, more enchant- our business to see what the sun and
ing coves? Lovely is the lake now, wind and cloud are about, and to
hemmed in by the green hills and watch every change about the lake
woodlands ; but when the tints of and the mountains. All the tweut}'-
autumn flush the wooded islands and four hours of each day are good and
the main land, and when sunrises and precious. With the poet we can
sunsets perform the daily miracle of say, — turning these pellucid waters into ,,^. „ .it-,
o I u Linger, O gentle Time !
wine, then the purple bloom of the Linger, O radiant grace of bright to-day!
mountains frames a revel of color Let not the hour's chime
Call thee away, that is bewildering in its beauty. But linger near me still with fond delay!"
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