Travels through the states of North America, and the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, during the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 [Vol. 1 of 2]Weld, Isaac
History
Travels through the states of North America, and the provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, during the years 1795, 1796, and 1797 [Vol. 1 of 2]
Weld, Isaac
Canada -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; United States -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800
The scenery along various parts of the lake is extremely grand and
picturesque, particularly beyond Crown Point; the shores are there
beautifully ornamented with hanging woods and rocks, and the mountains
on the western side rise up in ranges one behind the other in the most
magnificent manner. It was on one of the finest evenings possible that
we passed along this part of the lake, and the sun setting in all his
glory behind the mountains, spread the richest tints over every part of
the prospect; the moon also appearing nearly in the full, shortly after
the day had closed, afforded us an opportunity of beholding the
surrounding scenery in fresh though less brilliant colours. Our little
bark was now gliding smoothly along, whilst every one of us remained
wrapt up in silent contemplation of the solemn scene, when suddenly she
struck upon one of the shelving rocks: nothing but hurry and confusion
was now visible on board, every one lending his assistance; however, at
last, with some difficulty, we got her off; but in a minute she struck a
second time, and after we had again extricated her, even a third and a
fourth time; at last she stuck so fast that for a short time we
despaired of being able to move her. At the end of a quarter of an hour,
however, we again fortunately got her into deep water. We had before
suspected that our boatman did not know a great deal about the
navigation of the lake, and on questioning him now, it came out, that he
had been a cobler all his life, till within the last nine months, when
he thought proper to change his business, and turn sailor. All the
knowledge he had of the shores of the lake, was what he had picked up
during that time, as he sailed straight backward and forward between St.
John’s and Skenesborough. On the present occasion he had mistaken one
bay for another, and had the waves been as high as they sometimes are,
the boat would inevitably have been dashed to pieces.
The humble roof of another judge, a plain Scotch labourer, afforded us
shelter for this night. It was near eleven o’clock, however, when we got
there, and the family having retired to rest we had to remain rapping
and calling at the door for half an hour at least; before we could get
admittance. The people at last being roused, opened their doors,
cheerfully got us some supper, and prepared their best beds for us. In
the morning, having paid our reckoning to the judge, he returned to his
plough, and we to our boat to prosecute our voyage.
[Sidenote: BOUNDARY.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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