PEPACTON 



and I found she was without flaw, though she was 

 pretty narrow. The tension of her timber was such 

 that the rain upon her bottom made a low, musical 

 hum. 



Crouched on my blankets and boughs, for I 

 had gathered a good supply of the latter before the 

 rain overtook me, and dry only about my middle, 

 I placidly took life as it came. A great blue heron 

 flew by, and let off something like ironical horse 

 laughter. Before it became dark I proceeded to eat 

 my supper, my berries, but not my trout. What 

 a fuss we make about the "hulls" upon strawber- 

 ries ! We are hypercritical ; we may yet be glad to 

 dine off the hulls alone. Some people see some- 

 thing to pick and carp at in every good that comes 

 to them; I was thankful that I had the berries, 

 and resolutely ignored their little scalloped ruffles, 

 which I found pleased the eye and did not disturb 

 the palate. 



When bedtime arrived, I found undressing a little 

 awkward, my berth was so low; there was plenty 

 of room in the aisle, and the other passengers were 

 nowhere to be seen, but I did not venture out. It 

 rained nearly all night, but the train made good 

 speed, and reached the land of daybreak nearly on 

 time. The water in the river had crept up during 

 the night to within a few inches of my boat, but I 

 rolled over and took another nap, all the same. 

 Then I arose, had a delicious bath in the sweet, 

 28 



