The wild-flowers were scarcer than on Cardigan but
there was greater variety of ferns. Half way up, a tiny spring welled
up in the pathway. Our grave philosopher, as well-versed in mystical
wood-craft as metaphysics, cut a strip of birch-bark from one of the
over-hanging trees and deftly fashioned an Indian drinking-cup. Working
from the idea of a birch-bark canoe somebody offered the cup-full, as a
"schooner of water." On being asked to explain her nautical terms, the
joker protested ignorance and entirely disowned her far-fetched joke.
**
As we advanced, here and there, under the white birches or between the
dense growth of spruce, broad glimpses were visible of the townships
below. Suddenly, vegetation ceased and we were again on the bare rock
with several hundred feet between us and the rude structure called, by
courtesy, the Summit House. Beside the latter, we already descried our
companions, not lost but gone before; and we find ourselves in the
awkward predicament of the man with three hands--a right, a left and a
little behind-hand.
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