DAYS IN DOVE DALE 31 



Chagrined and disappointed, I had to return 

 to the stepping-stones and recross the stream. 

 I was disappointed, because that left side is 

 level and easy travelling, whilst the right is 

 rugged, rocky, and unequal; besides, on the 

 left, the wind would have helped me to lay my 

 flies just where I wanted them to go, whilst 

 on the right it only baffled me. 



In my perplexity the donkey-boy came to 

 my assistance. 



" If you want to go to the other side, I can 

 open the gate," said he. 



" Certainly I do," I replied. My donkey-boy, 

 without key or other appliance, had only to cry 

 "open sesame" and open it flew. I rewarded 

 him so handsomely that he voluntarily ex- 

 claimed, " I shall be gone before you return, 

 but I will leave it open for you," for which 

 I thanked him, and went on my way, 



Above all others, " The Dove " certainly is 

 " the brook " which everlastingly sings 



" I chatter, chatter, as I flow 



To join the brimming river, 

 For men may come and men may go, 

 But I flow on for ever." 



Men do come here now as they did in 



