126 RIVERSIDE LETTERS XVI 



distance by the flood, and left lying across a 

 hedge a total wreck. 



We shall miss an old familiar friend next 

 year from the banks of the river, between 

 here and Benson, namely an old willow stump, 

 of most quaint and picturesque appearance, 

 much like some fearful dragon or antediluvian 

 monster. It stretched for many a year hori- 

 zontally out over the water, and must have 

 attracted the notice of every passer-by. Last 

 summer, as two young ladies and their brother 

 were seated on it, it suddenly gave way, and 

 subsided gently into the water ; the young 

 ladies were not displaced when it fell, but 

 came down with it, seated, with their legs in 

 the water. After this it remained there by the 

 river bank for some weeks, and, luckily, I 

 made a drawing of it as it looked in the water, 

 which I send you. With the first rise of the 

 flood in November, the log floated off and 

 came down the stream, past our house, looking 

 more weird than ever. It was landed by a 

 fisherman, who made it fast to a stake on the 



