A Thousand-Mile Walk 



disturbed. They flitted excitedly close to my 

 head, as if scolding or asking angry questions, 

 while several beautiful plants, strangers to me, 

 were looking me full in the face. The first bo 

 tanical discovery in bed! This was one of the 

 most delightful camp grounds, though groped 

 for in the dark, and I lingered about it enjoying 

 its trees and soft lights and music. 



Walked ten miles of forest. Met a strange 

 oak with willow-looking leaves. Entered a 

 sandy stretch of black oak called &quot;Barrens,&quot; 

 many of which were sixty or seventy feet in 

 height, and are said to have grown since the 

 fires were kept off, forty years ago. The farm 

 ers hereabouts are tall, stout, happy fellows, 

 fond of guns and horses. Enjoyed friendly 

 chats with them. Arrived at dark in a village 

 that seemed to be drawing its last breath. Was 

 guided to the &quot;tavern&quot; by a negro who was ex 

 tremely accommodating. &quot; No trouble at all,&quot; 

 he said. 



September 5. No bird or flower or friendly 

 tree above me this morning; only squalid garret 

 [6] 



