se of which we passed. All
up the slope was seen, as it were, one above another, a succession of
large basins or reservoirs. The margins were beautifully scalloped and
adorned with natural bead-work of exquisite beauty. In spite of our
hurry, we could not resist the temptation of making our way up to them.
One of the largest springs we calculated to be fully thirty feet in
diameter; and so perfectly transparent was the water, that, as we looked
down into it, we could see to the very bottom. Its sides were ornamented
with coral-like forms of various shades, from pure white to bright
cream-yellow, while the blue sky overhead gave an azure tint to the
whole surface which no art could imitate. Over several parts of the rim
the water was flowing down into other basins. I climbed up and looked
over into one of the pools, which was literally hanging on to the one
above it like a bird's nest to a wall; while beautiful stalactites were
suspended below it, caused by the water which flowed over the sides. The
temperature of the water when it came out of the side of the mountain
was high, but in the course of its passage from pool to pool it became
gradually cooler.

"I cannot resist the temptation of taking a bath in one of these
beautiful basins," exclaimed Manley.

Selecting one, I followed his example; and the sergeant was soon sitting
in a third, with his head just above the water. Nothing could be more
refreshing and invigorating, and when we got out we all agreed that we
felt better able to continue our journey.

[Illustration: CURIOUS HOT-WATER "BATHS."]

We found that the clear atmosphere of this region greatly deceived us as
to distances, and it was not until the following day that we arrived on
the shores of the lake. It was nearly evening when, after having
penetrated a thick pine forest, we at length stood on its borders. Few
lake-scenes could be more beautiful than that now spread out before us.
The southern shore was indented with long narrow inlets, while
pine-crowned promontories stretched from the base of the hills on every
side. Islands of emerald hue dotted its surface, and round the margin
was a sparkling belt of yellow sand. The surface, unruffled by a breath
of air, was of a bright green near the shore, shading into a dark
ultramarine towards the centre. Whether there were fish, we had yet to
discover; but we had no fear of starving, for the whole surface of the
lake swarmed with birds--swans, gulls, peli