The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-08-15

The signing OF the wind among the tall
pines, the brilliant sunlight sparkling on
deep blue waters, the breath OF the forest
laden with fragrance--that is the Adj
rondacks. To my mind Saranac lake is
one OF the prettiest spots I'm this beautiful
region. From the windows OF our camp
We have fine view OF the lower Saranac,
with its many little islands and inlets,
and At the northern end It's cold range
of mountains clad IN purple mists. We
are about half way up the lake, with no
peases me, for ] like TO imagine that !
am cut off from civilization. Al night
lie awake and listen to that indescriba
Bile soft murmur-the voice OF the forest.
Now and then the quiet is broken by the
cry of night flying bird, and on moonlcss
nights one often hears the strange call OF
some wild thing proving I'm the distance,
for the woods are full of life. At this
season many of the smaller pools are
dried up, and the deer come TO the edge
Of the lake TO drink. / haven't seen
one so far but I shall never forget an
experience OF mine two years ago.
IL was in September, AT the time OF the
surrounded by pail of sitting smoke.
from the midst of which cleaned blood
red sun. At night an equally lurid moon
gimmered through the thick. smoke
laden atmosphere. On the evening In
question the fire had reached To within "A
few miles of the Ampersand, and nervous
old ladies were already leaving. Even
the guides We're becoming uneasy and
predicted disaster IL rain did not fall with
in the next two days. After dinner,
without saying a word 10 any one. Sands
Kendall and ! slipped away 10 investi-
gate for ourselves Sands was a jolly
college fellow as fond of lark as | am.
which IS saying a great deal. We took
the Forest Home road and walked
straight I'm the direction Of the fire. II
was what the Scotch would call an eerie
scene, the lonely forest road with its
impenetrable underbrush on either side
and the moon shining through the arch
es of the trees. while the smoke hung
like mist over all. We walked along
with swinging strides, chatting gayly,
until we had gone about two miles Then
the absolute stiffness OF the woods chilled
us into a strange quiet.
They say great many Wild animals
have been driven down from the great
North woods by the iames," Sands be-
gan maliclously, with a boys love of
teasing a girl
when crack. went the thick underbrush
al his right. We both stood still, and my
heart pounded violently. Crack! Again
the same sharp, quick sound. Sands
drew his little pocket revolver, and 7.
with true feminine lack OF common sense.
jumped directly I'm front Of II. With a
startled exclamation he pulled me aside,
and at that moment pair OF great.
luminous eyes shone at US out Of the
darkness ] gave scream. and the
eyes disappeared amid the crashing OF
underbrush.
Sands drew ans breath sharply. ~
deer" he muttered. But ] clung TO his
arm I'm an agony OF terror for the woods
seemed all at once fun Of noises. stealthy
creepIngs cravings, cracklings. From
somewhere In the trees overhead there
came a strange. harsh scream. II may
have been bird. but lynxes have a dis
agreeable habit or dropping from tho
trees and there were many OF them
driven down by the fires. as we after
ward learned. The same snarling cry
was repeated. ! gave one great start of
terror and then turned and fed. running
as I never ran before Even the strange.
reddish moonlight filled me with terror.
and IN every long shadow I seemed 10 see
mountain cat ready 60 spring. ] never
stopped until we had reached the first
~ the group ~ AmperSand cottages. when
! dropped on the grass, sohbing for
breath
All the same, u was = delicious terror.
now look back upon u. These things
are better viewed from \ distance. Moth
ing half so exciting has happened this
year. Perhaps that is because Sands
isn't here. Funny how YOU associate one
man with n place. isn't IT, Actually, I
am growing sentimental. My dear
friends n thousand pardons-
I'm n way an Adirondack camp II
pafsdoN You are living IL what is an-
parently a rough house OF logs. You arc