LUNCH AND SLUMBER. 55 



and comment on tlie wonderful l)cauty that surrounded us. 

 The smudge graciously sent its tin}^ clouds just above our 

 heads, and spared our sentiment the mocking tears that 

 come — and end — in smoke. 



Then we lighted our cigars, — for this was Thompson's 

 holiday, — reclined on our backs, gazed up where the 

 smoke wrcatfis were floating among the green leaves, and 

 were silent. Cigars finished, and fanned by the softest 

 Ijreezes stealing over the \mve water, we droi)ped off to 

 sleep, — every one of us .in a blissful nap, more delicious 

 than the sweetest, stolen, summer sleep in a country church 

 during a. drowsy sermon. Good, kind wolves! most 

 excellent ))e:irsl and self denying panthers! — whose tracks 

 and traces we thought we saw on the forest side of us, — 

 man}^ thanks to j'ou for that peaceful and undisturbed 

 slumber! 



The responsibilities of station vex the soul of authority, 

 even in slum1)er, — and the Captain wakened. Our oriental 

 table and conch luid wooed and lulled us for an hour and 

 a half of the noon-day; and we quickly gathered up our 

 basket and blankets, bestowed them and ourselves in the 

 boat, and pushed from slioi-e. 



Down the lake we rowed again, chatting of hunter's and 

 fisherman's exploits, of the lieauty and exquisite loveli- 

 ness of the scenes coming upon us gently and "with a 

 sweet surprise " at every turn,— our happy thoughts and 

 reveries, when we ceased talking, keeping time and tune 

 with the sturdy and steady oar-strokes of the wiry and 

 willmg guide. We hardly cared to fish, and wiien we did, 



