240 In Touch with Nature. 



By the light of the camp-fire to-night a precious 

 relic was brought forth, and its possible signifi- 

 cance discussed for the hundredth time. How far 

 are the lines and curves and dots ornamental, and 

 how far a matter of record ? Who shall say ? 

 For many days we have been wandering in search 

 of Indian relics, and on one of the beautiful 

 islands in the river a curiously-etched stone has 

 been found. The marks are cleanly and deeply 

 cut, as if by a graver's tool, and yet no metal ever 

 came in contact with this specimen. Here we 

 have set aside one of the objections raised against 

 the mastodon stone found not many miles away ; 

 a specimen, be it said, that was hastily condemned, 

 but in the light of added knowledge may prove to 

 have an interest. To find a picture rather than a 

 grouping of significatory or merely ornamental 

 markings may be highly improbable, but in the 

 light of what has been gathered in this same river 

 valley in recent years it is foolhardy to pronounce 

 it impossible, and inexcusable to cry " fraud" when- 

 ever the unexpected happens. 



Then, as night drew on apace, our minds re- 

 verted to the long-deserted mine. The hum of 



