Camping With Old Ben 253 



" There is always a mystery, too, in the 

 woods. Something to keep you guessing. 

 Was that pitter-patter in the leaves a red 

 squirrel, a chipmunk, or just a shy little 

 wood mouse? How quickly the ear learns to 

 distinguish the steady even trot of the fox, and 

 the hop of the rabbit, the rustle of a twig that 

 denotes a bird, and the bending of the bough 

 that tells you where a squirrel has just 

 sprung. 



" The signs, the sights and the sounds of 

 the woods are among earth's sweetest se- 

 crets. 



" Sometimes I think that I would like to 

 be the wood nymph and have charge of all 

 these furred and feathered creatures myself." 



" Who is the wood nymph, Ben? " I asked. 



" Oh, just a beautiful young lady who lives 

 in the woods, and looks out for all the wild 

 things and loves and pities them," replied 

 Ben. "Did I ever tell you how 'twas the 

 squirrel got his brush, Harry? " 



" No," I exclaimed all excitement, " please 

 tell me." 



