The Dismal Swamp and Lake Drummond, Early recollections | Page 6

soon be realized.
The morning was misty, just enough so as to hide the dense woods
which stood on the eastern shore of the Lake, and at the same time
served as a back ground to the grand display of nature, and make it
appear as if the sun actually came up out of the water as it were. The
mist in front was dispelled, and the rays of sun playing on the rippling
water would cause you to think that it was one vast cluster of diamonds.
The sight was grand beyond my power to describe it, and I never
expect to behold such a scene again. Everything was lovely on that
May morning--the balmy breeze, the air filled with perfume of the wild
flowers, which grew around the Lake: birds carrolled forth sweet music
as they flitted from limb to limb; squirrels could be seen and heard
chattering among the trees. The shore of the Lake was spread with a
velvety green, and you would think that nature had done her best to
make that morning lovely. Meditating on the beauty and grandeur that
surrounded us on the broad bosom of the Lake, suddenly we were
awakened from our reverie by the hoarse growl and lapping of the
bears, and horrid cries of the wild cats, which would cause the blood to
curdle in the veins. Thus with the sweet some sour always will be
found. Occasionally, at the Lake, a noble stag will emerge from the
trees, showing a stately head of horns, approach to the water and survey
the prospect, then plunge in the Lake to swim to the other shore. He
settles very low, and if you did not know you would take it for a
floating bush. They are frequently caught when attempting to cross the
Lake. Having reached a good place for fishing, my father stopped at the
place known as the "Apple Trees," where he caught some very pretty

fish. His bait getting scarce, he moved around the Lake to "Draper's
Landing." Running the bow of the canoe upon the wharf log, which
was nearly on a level with the water, left her, without tying, to look for
some angle worms. It being rough on the Lake at the time, the rolling
of the waves caused the boat to work off, and before he could return
she had drifted well out on the broad waters of the Lake. We were too
small to realize our situation. Not knowing how to paddle, we were left
to the mercy of the waves. On the return of my father, seeing the great
peril I was in, required but a single thought for him to know what to do.
Being a good swimmer he boldly plunged into the water, reached the
boat and swimming towed it to the shore. Had he not returned in time,
our fate could not have been told. We would have been capsized in the
Lake and drowned, or have drifted ashore to be devoured by bears and
other wild animals, or stung to death by the venomous reptiles that
hung in clusters on trees around the shores of the Lake. This accident
put an end to fishing for that day. My father was wet, and not having a
change of clothing with him, proceeded to the camp, so that he could
dry. We soon arrived at Jack's Landing, and on reaching the camp
found Mr. Woodward, who remarked: "What is the matter, Neddie?
Did a big fish pull you overboard?" He saw that my father was wet, and
ordered a fire to be made, so that he could dry his clothes. A hot fire
was soon made of juniper logs, and he was not long in drying.
Feeling no inconvenience from his ablution, and drinking a cup of hot
coffee, he related the circumstances as detailed above. "Well, Neddie;"
said Mr. W., "you should at once return thanks to the Giver of all Good
for this miraculous escape." The pious Mr. Woodward joined with him.
It was now nearly dark, and preparations were made to have supper.
When at the Lake it is expected that you will catch fish enough upon
which to subsist, and my father being a good hand at angling, always
had a good supply, and no one on the trip wanted for fish. The supper,
which consisted of fish, bread and hot coffee, was soon ready. About
this time Tony and Jim, who had been loading their skiff at the landing,
returned to the camp, and taking their seats at the ends of some juniper
logs, were soon fast asleep. We ate our supper and were then ready for
any kind of story that was told.

CHAPTER V.
THE VISIT OF TOM. MOORE, AS RELATED BY TONY.
As Uncle