14000 MILES 



down, picking our way carefully over the swampy places, 

 occasionally losing balance as we stepped on a loose 

 stone, until we reached the favorite spot by a great rock 

 overhanging the river bank. Our ears were deafened 

 and voices silenced by the mighty roaring of the waters 

 as they angrily surged through the narrow gorge. As 

 far back as we could see there was nothing but the foam- 

 ing white and the high wet rocks on either side. We gave 

 ourselves up to the roar and turmoil, and thought the 

 stirring life and restless activity of this bit of the Saco 

 was worth the whole Atlantic Ocean. It was growing 

 dark in the woods, and we had to take a last look and 

 retrace our steps while we could see the path. A wish 

 w^as expressed by our lady escort that we might meet a 

 delightful company of friends a mile or two from the 

 village whom we felt we knew already, through our 

 friend at the beach, who had also mentioned this as a part 

 of the pleasant programme she planned for us. Our 

 phaeton was soon at the door, and we exchanged our 

 rubbers for wraps and were off in the moonlight, assured 

 it was perfectly safe all about there, night or day. Of 

 course our friend knew all the pretty roundabout ways, 

 and we had a lovely drive. The pleasant call we shall 

 never forget, and as we drove back, the "short cut" across 

 the pastures was pointed out as a favorite summer- 

 evening walk. We did not sleep that night until we had 

 written our friend, thanking her for all we had enjoyed 

 through her kindness. But for her we should probably 

 have driven through Hollis with no recollection save one 

 glimpse of the Saco. 



Directly after breakfast next morning we bade our 



39 



