The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-05-28
Summering in the Adirondacks.
BY THE REV. ii. L. RIDGAWAY, d. ID.

BY THE REV. IL. Il. RIDGAWAY, DID.
In travelling for relaxation, it is some
times best to be free from too precise plan,
and to leave ones self subjected to side
and unexpected turns. 1t was thus that |
went to the Adirondacks. For years, be-
fore Murray's book, from conversation
with those who had frequented the twill
derness ''-particularly with DR.. Todd, of
Pittstield who is veteran in those parts
| have cherished the wish to revel in the
scenes and pastimes of this primitive region
The present visit, because unanticipated,
was without adequate preparation. and con-
sequently had necessarily to be brief. 1t
was, however, full of enjoyment and i'm
parted relish which must lead, if life is
spared, to longer stay and fuller exam
nation of the Adirondack mountains and
lakes.
Our party were first beguiled with two
days at Lake George. None Of us had pre-
viously seen this beautiful sheet of water,
and we were, as every one is, highly pleased.
Yet | do not think that on Lake George
you are at any time so impressed as you
are upon first entrance by steamer into
the Highlands. Apart from the scenery,
as we sailed down the lake, our interest
centered in General Sheridan. The steamer
was small, the passengers few, and we could
all come near to the great captain. He sat
and walked, talked and admired with the
utmost freedom, accessible to all. The
General has been SO often seen and described
that | cannot consent to picture him !; but
as this was my first sight of him, l may be
pardoned if little enthusiasm was excited
in my breast. Sheridan is all of soldier ::
and were it not he had shown so much dis
elimination and pluck in his administration
at New Orleans, | should have judged him
as only soldier. But his whole bearing
evinces the personal courage, the swiftness
of conception and invention, which belong
to great commander. He is a perfect
knot of man, and in his petite, compact
form, looks as though he would dash upon
an enemy with the celebrity and precision
with which a bullet speeds to its Object
Upon the arrival Of the Champlan boat at
Burlington, Vt, he landed, and was re-
ceved with civil and military honors. The
steamboat headed across the bay. and we
were soon ashore at Port Kent, whence we
proposed by keesville to penetrate the
mountains. Our company occupied two
two-horse stages from Keesville to Martins,
forty-six miles hence, at the foot of Lake
Saranac. The road was far smoother than
we had expected, nothing too rough for an
invalid and we were entertained all the
way by procession of very pleasing views
of mountain and valley.
Martins was crowded, though the Muir
ray furry, as the lake people call the rush
this summer, was subsiding-many having
come and gone, some with "sore heads
and well-nigh all with sore faces and hands
The crowd had put up the price of guides
good guides were hard to get-and every
thing depends, whatever ones other pre-
paratiens, upon having a good, knowing.
and genial guide. The hotel-keepers had
not expected SO many visitors, and were
not well provided for their accommodation.
We were soon ensconced-some in the up
per chambers and others in the parlor-
and were glad to find around us fair
number of very happy-looking people, who
had come to the lakes with an intelligent
purpose, and who were evidently deriving
both physical health and mental entertain
ment from their visit. The Sabbath was
passed quietly, during the afternoon of
which there was short religious service.
Professor Mead, of Andover, delivered
thoughtful and thoroughly evangelical ser
mon on faith in Christ, to which a small
group listened attentively. On Monday
ego in" 1t was interesting to see how
thorough and elaborate was the outfit of
some of thenl-tents, provisions, articles
condensed, Of every variety and form, cook
ing utensils, fishing cases, shooting irons,
etc., etc, and all to be placed in little
boat not weighing over eighty pounds,
which must carry the guide, who rows, and
usually one other person. When party
thus equipped reaches a camping ground,
which is selected with an eye to the best
scenery, fishing, and cunning, the stuff is
all taken ashore, the camp adjusted, and
living begins. From the camp as centre,
the party sallies forth by day and by night,
to seek game either from the water or the
woods. The bed Of balsam boughs, SO ar
ranged in upright successive layers as to
have the effect Of spring mattress, plenty
of wooden clothing, the blazing fire, the
smudge, abundance of game, and of course
accommodating guides, with a pretty earn
est determination to prove superior to little
ills-such as black flies, midges, and mos
quitoes-and to be in good humor all
round, and you have the essentials of life
in the wilderness.
Our party made its first essay on the
lakes after the camping parties had got off.
In three boats we rowed about eight miles
We were told before we went with entire
candor that the fishing was poor, eery,, and
in this we were not disappointed. We
found it SO all day lenS, and only six trout
to the party; which, at our dinner, when
divided, just made one for each adult and
small one between the two boys. Some
catfish and salt pork helped us out. We
returned happy. If the fishing was poor,
the scenery, the sail, the air. were ravish-
ing. The next day two of our party, with
some gentlemen from the hotel, went to
Bay Brook by road, and had better luck
took about forty of various sizes, the ca
rious being mostly small. Two of mine
were quite large; but my companion. anx-
ious to out do certain judge from Ohio
evidently boastful Of his pscatorial skill, if
not of his judicial lore, employed hook,
the latest patented by Uncle Sam, in the
shape of TIVE bran new ten cent fractionals,
and inveigled from hireling fisher one of
his biggest
On Wednesday and Thursday, we had
rich days. Soon after breakfast-our whole
party with four boats, two in boat besides
the guides-we started for the upper Sara
nae. Our course lay up the Saranac, through
the creek Or river about two miles, friHged
on either side by beautiful white pend-lilies,
and other wild flowers, on to and through