Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-10-06
G0(orttsttr DAILY Spp.
A PEDESTRIAN TOUR IN MAINE.


canoe through the widest and most romantic
of lake and mountain scenery. The primitive
forests have in many places bowed before the
woodman's axe, and second growth of timber
nearly ripe for the cutting, crown the hills,
and fringe the banks of the lakes and rivers.
We visited several lumbermen's camps-those
miniature worlds, descriptions of which have
so often charmed us in our early readings.
We found them just rs they were left the last
winter. We seated ourselves by the huge fire
places around which brave men were wont to
gather through the long nights of our northern
winters, and fancied we could hear the roaring
of the big camp fires, and the bowling of the
storms without. We stretched ourselves on
the beds OF spruce boughs, upon which these
hardy sons of the forest dream away the
night, in a slumber more delicious than any
king or courtier upon his bed of down. Every
stone and every unhewn rafter had its tale of
fun and frolic to relate There are few modes
of life more laborious than the lumberman's,
and few whose labor is lightened by more of
exciting and joyous pastimes. Our guide had
interested us in an old Indian of his acquan-
lance, whom we accidentally found by the
smoke of his wigwam, while strolling along
the shores of Chesuncook Lake. He has lived
in civilized communities, and enjoyed the ad.
vantages of academical Institutions yet so
strong is his attachment for the forest, that for
months, he lives alone in these solitudes. He
keeps a supply of books with him, and spends
his leisure hours in study. We found him in
his wigwam making moccasins. By his side
laid Greek book, which he had evidently
been reading only short time before. He has
an intelligent eye, and is hospitable and kind
hearted. Indian aversion to inquistiyeness,
forbade our making inquiries which we should
have made on longer acquaintance. 1t seemed
strange that a man Of learning should thus
shut himself out from the world, but when
we considered his nativity, his love of books,
and the wild freedom of the forest, we could
not altogether blame him. AS we jour.
neyed on, W. nightly pitched our camp in
convenient spot by the river, and every noon
we moored the birch on the shore to cook our
dinner Game became plenty we went
deeper into the woods, which, with trout
caught fresh every morning, made us many
meal fit to set before a king. The river
flows through many places of the widest de-
scription. After sailing quietly for hours, the
roar of water breaks on the ear, and rounding
a bend of the stream, we find ourselves borne
down a decliyity more suitable for a coast
than sail. High hills and frownng preci-
pieces rise on either side. Black jagged rocks
pro ject above the water, and among them the
river pours with rush. The descent in a
canoe is exciting, and often perilous; but ow-
ing to the care of skillful guide, and mod
crate share of good luck, we have escaped thus
far without SO much as upsetting. Several
times, where natural dams make falls in the
river, we have been obliged to carry our canoe
utrh tI,a A
ways we saw marks of mischief done by bears.
Once, in particular, barrel, probably left by
the river drivers, attracted our attention A
large hole was crushed in the side and then,
as though disappointed in finding it empty, the
bear had knocked in the head with his paw.
We were examining the barrel when the sight
of an animal inside gave us a sudden start
What was our establishment, to see full grown
porcupine move out, with quilts extended like
the feathers of a turkey gobber. AT every
turn Mt. Katahdin rose before us in silent
grandeur According to an Indian tradition,
the mountain derives its name from that of an
Indian to whom it was allotted for hunting
ground He had two sons, and as they were
believed to possess supernatural powers, it is
supposed among other wonderful feats per-
formed by them, that they one night flew into
a village, and stole maiden noted for her love
illness and beauty. This is proved from the
grown, returned to her native town, and rela-
ted fabulous stories of old Katahdin and his
sons. After sailing a whole forenoon seem
ingly round the foot of the mountain, we
built camp in thick wood, and hav-
ing partaken of hearty dinner, and ar
ranged our effects in snug order, we started
for the top. Few have assembled the mountain
from this side, and, in consequence Of there
being no path, we struck Il course OF our own
Il Al, q
bears, and other animals, were numerous, and
on tho lodges, bueberrres and huckleberries
grew in greater profusion than we had ever
seen. OF late the weather had been stormy,
and we were in high spirits to-day, because of
blue sky and sunshine, but before we had gone
half the way we were overtaken by showers,
and several times drenched with rain. 1t was
long, wearisome distance, over hills, to the
foot of the mountain, and when we actually
began the ascent we found the underbrush so
thick that it was necessary to use an axe to
force passage. Clear, cold streams leap
down the mountain sides, thick boughs Irvine
overhead, and on the ground and trunks of
fallen trees, lies covering Of green moss.
Now and then the monotony of the tramp was
broken by charming view of the country
below, through an opening of the trees. As
we climbed higher, the air grew cold and
piercing. There was no vestge of anything
human; all was still, grand, and solemn. The
sky was overcast, and we were benumbed with
cold, when, being as high on the mountain as
trees grew, we decided on a spot to camp. 1t
was in a growth of spruce trees, behind high
rock, which, only year or two before, had
divided land slide that took everything in its
PATH Wewere not long in building fire and
preparing a warm supper. While we were
enjoying our accustomed smoke after eating,
we could not but thiuk of our strange situation.
We were nearly on the top OF mountain five
thousand feet high, far in the wilds OF Maine
Before us was blazing fire, that climbed the
perpendicular side of a rock and sent It's sparks
ffyilg among the dark tree-tops. A noisy stream
within few rods, dashed down the mountain
side Night had gathered around, and the
wind that blew in gusts fiickered the fire, cast
ing spectral shadows over our faces, and lurld
light into the darkness. For the sake OF Varl-
ETY., we were visited by regular snow squall,
the first we ever remember to have seen IN
the month of August Later, in the alb
sence of the moon, it should have been
very dark but instead, it grew light, as
though behind the clouds rose full moon.
We confess we were little troubled to ex-
plain the singular phenomenon, and our guide,
with characteristic superstition, shook his head
and averred he could not account for it. We
consoed ourselves, however with the thought
that though alone in this deep wilderness, and
with the strange night above, we were yet in
His hands, who permits not the sparrow TO
fall to the ground without His notice Having
placed u new log on the fire, and seen that ev-
crythng was safe we threw ourselves on
spruce boughs TO rest. The cold winds swept
through the forest, and dirge-lke voices canNe
,,n frn,, tho vawninu phnsms bpnpnth uE