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 Na 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. 



