Although there was no moon, the stars served us as lights and compass until two o'clock in the morning, by which time we had reached the head of the lake (which is thirty-five miles in length), where we landed, extemporized a tent out of the boat sail, and turned in for a refreshing flea-less sleep.
The next day was beautifully still, with a light air from the opposite point, just sufficient to cool the parched atmosphere; and we made our way along the head of the lake to a place were a couple of sawyers were at work.

One of them had brought his wife with him, and her welcome to me was the most touching thing in the world.

She took me entirely under her care, and would hardly let me out of her sight.

I must say it was very nice to be waited on so faithfully, and I gave myself up to the unaccustomed luxury.

All she required of me in exchange for her incessant toil on my behalf was "news." It did not matter of what kind, every scrap of intelligence was welcome to her, and she refused to tell me to what date her "latest advices" extended.