"There is," he says, "an Indian superstition attached to this lake,
which probably has its source in its remarkable loneliness and
tranquility. The Mohawks believed that its stillness was sacred to the
Great Spirit, and that if a human voice uttered a sound upon its
waters, the canoe of the offender would instantly sink. A story is
told of an Englishwoman, in the early days of the first settlers, who
had occasion to cross this lake with a party of Indians, who, before
embarking, warned her most impressively of the spell. It was a silent,
breathless day, and the canoe shot over the smooth surface of the lake
like an arrow. About a mile from the shore, near the center of the
lake, the woman, willing to convince the savages of the weakness of
their superstition, uttered a loud cry. The countenances of the
Indians fell instantly to the deepest gloom. After a moment's pause,
however, they redoubled their exertions, and in frowning silence drove
the light bark like an arrow over the waters. They reached the shore
in safety, and drew up the canoe, and the woman rallied the chief on
his credulity. 'The Great Spirit is merciful,' answered the scornful
Mohawk, 'He knows that a white woman cannot hold her tongue.'"
[Illustration: BALL ROOM GRAND UNION.]
Chapman's Hill
Is a mile beyond the Lake House, and one hundred and eighty feet above
the level of the lake. A charming view is afforded. Immediately below,
the lake presents a mirrored surface of several square miles, while
the meadows and table lands on its western shore may be traced with
all their simple beauty until they merge into the Kayaderosseras range
of mountains.
Wagman's Hill,
Which is about three miles beyond, affords a still more extended view.
This hill is two hundred and forty feet above the lake.
Hagerty Hill,
Six miles north of the village, toward Luzerne, brings to view a fine
landscape.
But the most extended view and the boldest landscape may be seen from
Wearing Hill,
On the Mount Pleasant road, and about fifteen miles from Saratoga
Springs. Saratoga, Ballston, Schenectady, Waterford, Mechanicville,
Schuylerville, Saratoga Lake, Round Lake, etc., by the aid of a glass,
can all be discerned from this hill.
Lake Lovely
Is the euphonious name of an interesting little sheet of water not far
from the village on the Boulevard to Saratoga Lake. Though not of very
great extent, it has many points of considerable attraction, one of
which is a glen on the eastern bank of the lake, which forms an echo,
said to be almost as distinct and powerful as the celebrated one in
the ruined bastion of the old French fortress at Crown Point.
Stiles' Hill,
An interesting locality, revealing a varied landscape, along the
Hudson and Mohawk rivers, may be reached in a drive of a few miles
along the base of the Palmerton Mountain.
Corinth Falls,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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