Westward from the headwaters of Oconaluftee river, in the wildest depths of the Great Smoky mountains, which form the line between North Carolina and Tennessee, is the enchanted lake of Atagahi,
"Gall place".
Although all of the Cherokee know that it is there, no one has ever seen it, for the way is so difficult that only the animals know how to reach it. Should a
stray hunter come near the place, he would know
of it by the whirring sound of the thousands of wild ducks flying about the lake, but on reaching the spot he would find only a dry flat, without bird or animal
or blade of grass, unless he had first sharpened his spiritual vision by prayer, fasting, and an all-night vigil.
In the water are all kinds of fish and reptiles, and swiming upon the surface, or flying overhead, are great flocks of ducks and pigeons, lone eagles, and all about the shores are bear tracks crossing in every direction.
It is the medicine lake of the birds and animals, and whenever an animal is wounded by the hunters, he makes his way through the woods to the lake and plunges into the water. When he comes out upon the other shore, his wounds are healed. For this reason, the animals keep the lake invisible to the hunter.
Special thanks to the publisher, who granted written permission:
Bright Mountain Books
138 Springside Road
Asheville, North Carolina 28803
The Sash Diaries
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