Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 10.djvu/83

 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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