l6j WINTER SKETCHES. 



He thought he saw the small canoe 

 Grow big, and bigger — bigger yet, 



Then changing into something new, 

 It was a sloop with mainsail set. 



And then this white bird had her young, 

 They grew like her, and clustered 'round, 



And *' Yo heave ho " was cheer'ly sung 

 As sloops were up and downward bound. 



And still they grew, as Fashion's dames 

 Increase in flounce and furbelow; 



Brigs, ships, and craft of various names 



Float 'round the anchored Dutchman's bow. 



'Twas nothing strange, he'd seen them oft. 

 Perhaps less jaunty, snug and trim ; 



But then those flags he saw aloft. 



Those stars and stripes, were new to him. 



But now he sees, or thinks he sees, 



A mill afloat, with water wheels 

 Revolving, coming near! His knees 



Shake with the fear that o'er him steals. 



It thunders on with furious blast ; 



It is the devil's ship of fire ; 

 Like lightning sweeps the phantom past 



On bickering wheels that never tire. 



