144: HOUSE POKTRAITUKE. 



enough, when long afterwards those of pure lineage are 

 gamboling with undiminished spirit. 



I shall impatiently wait for the time to come when we 

 shall sit under the umbra of the oaks, on the knoll where 

 the old stone house is keeping watch and ward over the 

 quondam hunting-grounds of the Sioux and Chippewa. 

 The placid river looks like an inland sea, the mountain 

 snows in the far-off north swelling its waters till it is miles 

 across. The brilliant foliage of the islands floats on its sur- 

 face and is reflected from the flood. The waters extend 

 to the very foot of the hills, that looked so hazy and in- 

 distinct in the orange light of the Indian Summer. Now 

 they appear as if drawn closer, and you can see the white 

 farm-houses that nestle on their sides. The yellow lime- 

 stone bluffs frown like giant fortresses, massive and gloomy, 

 on the eastern shore ; those on the west glowing in the 

 morning sunlight. The blue-grass carpet is fringed with 

 the flowering crab-apple, the calm air laden with their 

 sweet fragrance. The brown thrush and robin are singing 

 a duet, and the prairie chickens are cooing their songs of 

 love. The colts turned out from the stable are wandering 

 listlessly about, inhaling the perfumed atmosphere, till 

 one gives the signal, and away they go. What energy 

 and grace of movement! Their lissome limbs seem en- 

 dowed with a spirit that compels them to rush along, ri- 

 valing the roar of the avalanche, as they drum music out 

 of the springy turf. The play of the muscles is dictinctly 

 seen under the pliant skin and silky hair, which takes 

 different shades like the changing hues of the pigeon's 

 neck. No matter how long they keep up this exciting 

 pastime, you will feel disappointed when they cease, and 

 hope that after a short respite they will again go on with 

 the play. When you see this repeated day after day 

 through the whole summer, you will agree with me that 

 the work well kept colts take for their own enjoyment is 



