THE GUIDE TO NATURE. 



of which there are a number flowing into these streams, known as West Brook, 

 the lake, are fairly alive with the beau- that I took one night, which I will de- 

 tiful speckled trout, and in the woods and scribe and which is typical of the life 



in the Maine woods. 



fields along its shores and in the moun 



I PADDLED QUIETLY UP TO THE SHORE OF THE LAKE TO LISTEN TO THE 



SOUNDS OF THE WILD CREATURES." 



tains nearby, bears, deer, foxes, and 

 many smaller animals wander at will- 

 Here, also, a great variety of birds make 

 their home, finding a safe retreat in the 

 cool deep woods, where they may build 

 their nests and raise their broods unmo- 

 lested, except by their natural enemies. 

 Oh, that the hand of the wood-chopper 

 might he stayed, and that such a beau- 

 tiful spot might be left undisturbed, 

 where the wild creatures could roam at 

 will, and man might only enter for re- 

 creation and for the study of the lives 

 and habits of the wild things about 

 him. 



In such a place nature unfolds her se- 

 crets to the one who seeks them in ear- 

 nest, and each one of the beautiful crea- 

 tures has its lesson for him who would 

 submit himself to them and study their 

 ways. It was a trip up the largest of 



As it was a quiet and beautiful even- 

 ing, in September, I left my little cabin 

 in the woods about n.oo P. M., and rig- 

 ging my lantern on the bow of the canoe, 

 I paddled quietly up the shore of the 

 lake to listen to the sounds of the wild 

 creatures, and to observe what animals 

 made their haunts about the shores of 

 the lake or the streams flowing into it. 

 The scene was impressively calm and 

 peaceful, and as I floated quietly along, 

 there was no sound to be heard, except 

 the occasional twittering of the birds mi- 

 grating overhead. I sat there drinking 



and 



wondering 



in the beautiful scene 



what animals were wandering forth 



seeking their prey on the mountains 



yonder, which rose up from the lake and 



stood out in such bold relief against the 



sky. 



Suddenly a great horned owl broke 



