A HERMIT'S WILD FRIENDS 



added a new pleasure. I always enjoyed the 

 keen, cutting air. Sometimes there were 

 storms in the morning with rain or snow. At 

 times, the wind would blow such a furious 

 gale on the Cut, that it 

 would make it nearly im- 

 possible to reach my haven. 

 When safely housed at last, 

 I always felt satisfied with 

 myself, because of my vic- 

 tory over the elements. 

 One storm forced me to re- 

 main in the city overnight. 

 The storm had died out, 

 but had created a sea such 

 as is seldom seen even on 

 the Cape. I went over to 

 Bass Rocks, to see the 

 waves break, and did not 

 get back to Western Avenue until near night. 

 I found the street full of snow and sea-water. 

 I waded nearly to the drawbridge and then 

 mounted the sea-wall. I soon found that the 

 large waves broke over the wall, and with 

 110 



KIKGFISHER, 

 STRIKING. 



