The route, which conducted them--over a range of gently-ascending
hills, through groves tolerably thick, an uncleared woodland tract
comprising every variety of pleasant foliage, at length brought them
to a lonely tarn or lake, about a mile in circumference, nestled
and crouching in the hollow of the hills, which, in some places
sloped gently down to its margin, at others hung abruptly over its
deep and pensive waters. A thick fringe of shrubs, water-grasses,
and wild flowers, girdled its edges, and gave a dark and mysterious
expression to its face. There were many beaten tracks, narrow paths
for individual wayfarers on foot, which conducted down to favorite
fishing-spots. These were found chiefly on those sides of the lake
where the rocks were precipitous. Perched on a jutting eminence, and
half shrouded in the bushes which clothed it, the silent fisherman
took his place, while his fly was made to kiss the water in capricious
evolutions, such as the experienced angler knows how to employ to
beguile the wary victim from close cove, or gloomy hollow, or from
beneath those decaying trunks of overthrown trees which have given
his brood a shelter from immemorial time.

To one of these selected spots, Ned Hinkley proceeded, leaving his
companions above, where, in shade themselves, and lying at ease
upon the smooth turf, they could watch his successes, and at the
same time enjoy the coup d'oeil, which was singularly beautiful,
afforded by the whole surrounding expanse. The tarn, like the dark
mysterious dwelling of an Undine, was spread out before them with
the smoothness of glass, though untransparent, and shining beneath
their eyes like a vast basin of the richest jet. A thousand pretty
changes along the upland slopes, or abrupt hills which hemmed it
in, gave it a singular aspect of variety which is seldom afforded