SABBATH IN THE WOODS. 201 



against the clear blue of the sky ; and, as the shad- 

 ows deepened, I thought of the day foretold in the 

 Apocalypse, when "our sun shall no more go 

 down, neither shall the moon withdraw herself. 

 For the Lord shall be our everlasting light, and 

 the days of our mourning shall be ended." 



The day was over. Night spread her sable 

 wings over the camp, and the lake darkened under 

 the shadow. On the sky and highest peaks a few 

 patches of crimson were still visible. For a few 

 moments an aureole lingered around the head of 

 Blue Mountain. The pines which adorn its crest 

 gleamed like the rich plume of a king when he 

 rideth at noonday to battle. One instant the 

 beams lingered lovingly about the summit, and 

 then, obedient to a summons from the west, 

 flew to join their companions in another hemi- 

 sphere. And now began the marvellous transfor- 

 mations from day to night. The clouds were rolled 

 together and lifted from sight. Unseen hands 

 flung out new tapestry for the skies, and lighted 

 lamps innumerable around the circling galleries, 

 as though the Sabbath had passed from earth, and 

 the heavens were being made ready for service. 

 If the day had been suggestive, much more so 

 was the night. To the north the Dipper hung 

 suspended royally against the blue of the sky, 

 journeying in silent revolution around the polar 

 star. Farther eastward, and higher up, the mourn- 



9* 



