CHAPTER XXII. 



EARLY MOKNING. 



BEFOKE describing the spot, and our object, a word 

 about this time of the day. The most familiar objects, 

 at this hour 4 A. M. have a somewhat different aspect. 

 The country was just sufficiently the same to make us 

 sure of where we were. Fleecy clouds enveloped the low- 

 lands, and acres of pastures appeared like miniature lakes. 

 The glistening dew silvered the grass along our path, and 

 brought out in strong relief the geometric webs of the spi- 

 der. Where a few hours later there will be a compara- 

 tive silence, was now heard the choicest vocal efforts of 

 all our songsters. Not a bird within hearing but joined 

 in the chorus of welcome to the rising sun. All nature, 

 except poor humanity, rejoiced that the glories of a new- 

 born day were here. 



My object in thus taking an early start was to have 

 a day's shooting along the river-shore for " teeters and 

 the like," as ITz Gaunt called the whole family of sand- 

 pipers. Plovers he knew, and spoke of them by their 

 proper name. It so happened that early in the morning 

 the tide would be out, and long stretches of the shore and 

 of "Long Bar" would be bare. Uz had promised me 

 some good sport, and soon we were on our way, he speak- 

 ing of the birds we were so soon to find, as a matter of 

 course, and I in expectation of all that he promised. 



When the river was reached, for we had been passing 



