HERONS, RAILS, ETC. 217 



CHAPTER XL 



HERONS, RAILS, ETC. 



IT was as far back as 1851 or 1852 that I over- 

 heard the remark that there was a freshet on the 

 meadows and many strange birds about. My curios- 

 ity was excited, for I had been taken to the meadows 

 and seen them under all their summer aspects. But 

 what of this wide reach of lowlands now with a 

 "freshet" on them? It had recently been raining, 

 that I knew ; but the fields were dry and all about 

 seemed just as usual, but fresher after the continuous 

 downpour that for three days had kept me house- 

 bound. I was beginning to feel abundant self-confi- 

 dence, and longed to be in some measure my own 

 master. I asked no questions, but early in the morn- 

 ing stole off to the wonderful meadows. As I ap- 

 proached I saw no change, but directly after per- 

 ceived that familiar pastures were glittering with 

 water. I kept upon the higher ground and followed 

 a path leading to the creek. It was all so strange, 

 and in the brilliant sunshine of a June morning every 

 bird seemed unnaturally large and sang with an 

 earnestness that almost startled me. The bushes hid 

 the creek at every point, and I drew them aside that 

 I might stand alone on the bank where in time past 

 K 19 



