AN EARLY ESCAPADE 77 



tion. In Lilliput it would have been termed an 

 island : so in truth it was. I know not how it 

 happened, — unless, indeed, that I was strictly en- 

 joined not to go near the water — but I had a decided 

 propensity to establish my little person on this 

 insular spot. For some time I was either very 

 good, or very much afraid — it matters not which, 

 — and the achievement was dubious. At length the 

 demon of temptation appeared in the form of a 

 dragon-fly, which, glancing from some branches 

 that extended across the stream a little above, 

 danced up and down in the air in all its gaudy trim, 

 and at length settled on an iris, in this enchanted 

 island. I stood enraptured on the bank with my 

 arms outstretched, and my longing eyes fixed upon 

 the beauty. It was irresistible — I could hold out 

 no longer. So mustering up my naughty courage, 

 and letting myself gently down the bank, I paddled 

 through a little shallow water, till I actually set 

 foot safely on the desired spot. Here I found that 

 my love for the Libellula was not mutual ; or, if it 

 was, I may say, 



" Love, free as air, at sight of human ties 

 Spreads its light wings, and in a moment flies." 



Even so did the dragon-fly ; he and my hopes 

 vanished at once. Nevertheless I showed a decided 

 taste for an insular life, and sat down watching the 

 trout rise on all sides, as happy as a king ; and I 

 might have remained there to this day, had not that 

 kill-joy Martha, who was blest with the care of me, 

 and from whom I had escaped in the morning, come 

 upon my trail. Infuriated she was (for the whole 



