We then proceeded up the lake, keeping ourselves within
sight of it for the most part. At about sunset we reached an opening
where a small stream entered the lake. Pierce sat down upon the ground
and announced that he would not walk another step that night. In that
condition of affairs we sent guides forward with such luggage as they
could take, and with directions to return with a boat as soon as they
reached Forbes' Clearing. During twilight we saw a boat coming down
the lake. The boatman proved to be James Sturgis with a small boat
designed to carry two persons. We were four, and when we were seated
the water was within an inch of the top of the gunwale. I told Sturgis
to keep near the shore. In doing so he ran upon the limb of a fallen
tree. The boat careened on one side and then the other, dipping water.
At last we got off and after an hour's rowing, we reached the clearing,
where we got a supper and the privilege of sleeping on the floor of
the log house.
The next morning we obtained the use of a large flat-bottomed scow and
paddled ourselves up the river which flows into the Indian Lake from
Louis Lake. The distance was about nine miles and through an intervale
from half a mile to two miles in width. This valley was studded with
huge trees at such a distance from each other that it might well be
called a park, and when in a state of nature it must have been not only
beautiful, but magnificent.
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