SUNDOWN 



^IRY-GOLD rims the far up- 

 land sky-line. It is the merest 

 thread of sunlight lingering on 

 oak-woods all arustle in their 

 yellow-russet bravery. Above 

 them gray-purple haze melts soft up to the 

 clear heaven, cloudless, save for the low, 

 western bank flaming, fire-scarlet, along its 

 upper edge. Truly, you might fancy it some 

 dim underworld castle, with storm-winds at 

 bay in its thunderous breast and waging 

 bloody battle for freedom. 



They must win it ere long. The air is 

 tense. Vivid, too, with scent from sere 

 grass and ripe fruit and fresh, new-fallen 

 leaves. Through the heavy stillness sound 

 carries marvellously. The windless caress- 

 ing air woos the ear to linger and listen. 



What a medley it brings to the hearing ! 

 The pounding and grinding of hoofs, of 

 Wheels, upon the highway; the loud rattle 

 of heaped wagons straining home from the 



