A Recent Ramble. 83 



at least it is a more pleasing fancy to think so. 

 And now it would be charming to know if there 

 is left a single feature of the river upon which 

 his eyes rested. It is scarcely probable ; but, in 

 the thankful spirit that moved Thoreau to be glad 

 that man could not cut down the clouds, I am 

 grateful that the same river gladdens the land- 

 scape in these later days. 



Wheresoever we wander on land, nature, as the 

 Indian knew it, must be sought after ; here, on the 

 river, we have the same sky above and waters be- 

 neath us. The bateau has replaced the canoe, 

 but this is not a disturbing fact, and, whether we 

 peer into the waves or gaze upward at the fleecy 

 clouds, we have nature pure and undefiled. And, 

 better, many a sweet sound that floats from the 

 distant shores is the same that held old William 

 Watson when on his homestead quest, and 

 charmed, I hope, even the stolid Indian when on 

 mischief bent. Warblers throng the willows ; tee- 

 tering sand-pipers call to their mates afar off; the 

 thrush and blackbird whistle in wild glee ; the 

 weird cry of the unseen spirit duck trembles in 

 the breeze ; the air is filled with music. 



