Ball DrooK 19 



The Showy Lady's Slipper {Cypripedium regince) 

 was just sending forth its tiny roll of leaves, so I could 

 not expect prime blossoms before June i5tli at the 

 earliest. 



Seated on a decaying log, I ate my luncheon, with 

 Major before me begging impoHtely for his portion, 

 until I divided my cake with him. The mosquitoes 

 were so troublesome that I decided to push onward. 

 Carefully picking my way out of the swamp, I crossed 

 the muddy brook, and found myself in a dry, rocky 

 pathway which winds around the hillside, but still 

 keeps within sound of the brook's murmur. 



In exquisite little glens beside the path were Painted 

 Trilliums and Stars-of-Bethlehem, while the white and 

 gold stars of the dainty Goldthread {Coptis trifolid) 

 were shining amid the moss and their own glossy green 

 leaves. 



In the bend of the stream a little farther on were 

 some of the most graceful little ferns, just near enough 

 to the brink to catch now and then a dash of spray 

 from the rushing waters, swayed in the coolness all 

 day long, adding beauty to the nook. 



Still farther on, I saw that by crossing the stream I 

 could enter a little ravine to the right, which promised 

 hidden treasures. I waded through the brook, which 

 was too wide to jump across; I found that it was also 

 rather too deep for my boots, and that there were very 

 few stepping-stones to make a dry crossing possible. 

 But of what matter is a little water in one's boots, 

 when seeking the Gardens of the Gods? I landed 



