230 THE ADIRONDACK. 



great world of strife and toil speaks not, and its fierce 

 struggles for gain seem the madness of the maniac. 

 You do not hate it — you pity it, and pity yourself that 

 you ever loved it. The good you had forgotten re- 

 turns, for nature wakes up the dead divinity within 

 you, and rouses the soul to purer, nobler purposes. 

 Besides, all things are free about me — ^the leap of the 

 wave — the dash of the mountain stream — the flight 

 of the eagle — ^the song of the wind, and the swaying of 

 trees — all, all are free. Unmarred, unstained, the 

 bright and happy world is spread out in my sight : 



"Ah, when the wild turmoil of this wearisome life, 

 With its scenes of oppression, corruption, and strife ; 

 The proud man's power, and the base man's fear — 

 The scorner's laugh, and the sufferer's tear — 

 And malice, and meanness, and falsehood, and folly, 

 Dispose me to musing and dark melancholy : 

 When my bosom is full, and my thoughts are high, 

 And my soul is sick with the bondman's sigh — 

 Oh, then, there is freedom, and joy, and pride, 

 Afar through the ' forest' alone to ride, 

 With the death-fraught firelock in my hand. 

 The only law of the desert land."' 



But to return to practical matters : yonder comes 



