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
by any scene very remarkable for its stillness and seclusion.
Opposite to the rock on which Ned Hinkley was already crouching,
the hill-slope to the lake was singularly unbroken, and so gradual
was the ascent from the margin, that one was scarcely conscious
of his upward movement, until looking behind him, he saw how far
below lay the waters which he had lately left.
The pathway, which had been often trodden, was very distinctly
marked to the eyes of our two friends on the opposite elevation,
and they could also perceive where the same footpath extended on
either hand a few yards from the lake, so as to enable the wanderer
to prolong his rambles, on either side, until reaching the foot of
the abrupt masses of rock which distinguished the opposite margin
of the basin. To ascend these, on that side, was a work of toil,
which none but the lover of the picturesque is often found willing
to encounter. Above, even to the eyes of our friends, though
they occupied an eminence, the skies seemed circumscribed to the
circumference of the lake and the hills by which it was surrounded;
and the appearance of the whole region, therefore, was that of
a complete amphitheatre, the lake being the floor, the hills the
mighty pillars, and the roof, the blue, bright, fretted canopy of
heaven.
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