Advisory: contains lake voices, supernatural temptation, missing boatmen, cold slime, implied bodily and spiritual consumption, and one unusually sensible dog. Timid readers should remain ashore, keep boots on, and distrust real estate offers.
POPEVILLE, N.Y., October 18, 1888.
Every thing moves along here in the usual quiet way, though the lake has lately furnished our people with more conversation than fish.—Several of the guides report hearing a low speaking after sundown along the shore beyond the Narrows, and one man, whose name we withhold, having a family, says the voice promised him wealth, a house and authority over his neighbors if he would but step into the water. He did not accept, having already had some experience with promises made after dark.
The old hunters call the thing Gitaskog, or great serpent, and say it belongs in the black water where no line has yet found bottom.—It is represented as having horns upon its head and a disposition wholly opposed to good order. Some suppose it to be only the wind passing under the ledges, but the wind, so far as we know, has never offered any man a farm nor requested him to remove his boots.
A young fellow returning from the upper landing Saturday evening heard his mother calling from the lake, though that worthy woman was at home putting preserves away.—He went as far as the stones, when his dog seized his coat and pulled him backward with such earnestness that both came down in the mud. We congratulate the dog, and think a portion of beef would not be thrown away upon him.
Two men have lately failed to return from that quarter, and their boats were found moving in a circle, with the oars laid neatly across the seats.—No mark of violence could be discovered, but there was a dark slime upon the gunwales and the water around them had an uncommon coldness. It is believed the creature makes one meal of both body and immortal part. We do not undertake to explain these circumstances, though we advise all persons to keep to the road after nightfall and not answer any voice that comes from below the surface.
It is further said that those who listen long become persuaded they are chosen for some great purpose, and will walk into the lake as cheerfully as though going to meeting.—Only those who remain unmoved by its promises are thought able to oppose it, and even they should not boast, for the serpent is reported to have patience enough for a tax collector.
The lake is otherwise in fine condition, the mornings bright, the hills handsomely colored, and the farmers busy securing what remains of the season.—We trust our citizens will enjoy these blessings from the landward side. Gitaskog may have the whole bottom if he behaves himself there, but no respectable person should assist him in enlarging his supper. PLAYED OUT.
#AdirondackGothic
#NorthCountryFolklore
#GitaskogLegend
#ChateaugayLakeMystery
#StrangePeriodNews
#LakeSerpentMythology
#HistoricalWeirdFiction
#UncannyWilderness
#RuralSatire
#CosmicRuralMystery
What mysteries of Chateaugay Lake haunt you?