there was a woman near the door of the house. It was impossible in the
distance to tell whether they were white people, but we never imagined
for a moment they could be Indians. No Indian could have built such a
house. Of course we were filled with astonishment at finding such a
picture in so unexpected a place; and a beautiful picture it was to our
eyes, fresh as we were from looking upon the barren desert. The lake
was smooth as a mirror; the sun was shining upon it, and we could see
upon its farther shore several large animals standing up to their knee
in the water.

There were many other striking objects which met our eyes, but we had no
time to dwell upon them, and we crawled back again to our companions.

It was at once agreed that we should go still farther down, and
endeavour to find a road leading into this most singular oasis. We
thought we could distinguish a sort of depression in the plain near the
lower end of the valley, and for this point we directed our course.
After riding a few miles farther we reached the place where the stream
issued out in an easterly direction. There sure enough, was the very
road we were in search of, winding down along the bank of the stream,
and as if carved out from the face of the precipice. It was not much
wider than the track of a wagon, but was of very easy descent. We did
not hesitate a moment, but commenced riding downward.

CHAPTER FOUR.

THE STRANGE SETTLEMENT.

We were soon in the bottom of the valley, where we followed a plain
track that led along the banks of the rivulet. We knew that that would
direct us up to the lake, where we should get a view of the house. We
were astonished at the great variety of trees which we saw in the woods;
but there appeared to be almost as great a variety of beautiful birds,
that fluttered among the leaves as we rode forward.

We came at length within sight of the opening in which the house and
lake were situated. It was prudent to make another reconnoissance
before we advanced farther; and two of us, again dismounting, stole
cautiously forward through a thicket of leafy Shrubs. The house and all
its grounds lay before us.

It was a log-house--such as are met with in the western states of
America--and well constructed. There was a garden at one end, and
fields on all sides. These fields were, as we had supposed, some of
them under cultivation. We noticed one with a crop of Indian corn, and
another of wheat.