322 In Touch with Nature. 



be the giver of every good and perfect gift to the 

 Narragansetts, was blessing now the Delaware, as 

 in good old Indian days. A misty veil shut out 

 the busy towns on either shore, but allowed a 

 shadowy view of what yet remains of the ancient 

 forest. No sounds save those of untamed Nature 

 disturbed this remote, forgotten, long-forsaken 

 spot. A fierce hawk screamed, the crow uttered 

 his alarm-cry, and startled fish leaped from the 

 water, scattering a generous gift of gems in the 

 dimmed sunlight. Such sights and sounds the 

 old Dutch settler had often witnessed, and, for the 

 passing moment, I took his place. I had no need 

 to turn and look at the uptorn surface of the river 

 shore, but rebuilt it all on the wide expanse of 

 waters before me. The massive walls of squared 

 oak logs, the huge chimney of red brick without, 

 and lined with smaller yellow ones that made 

 bright the generous fireplace and the great living 

 room. Gleaming through the trees, the bright 

 red tiles of the roof gave to this early home a 

 cheery look, contrasting strongly with the un- 

 broken wilderness that then stretched from the 

 river to the sea. 



