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more than a stone's-throw from the North Sea, the 

 sun shone warmly, the air was bright and clear, not a 

 leaf or twig moved, the country and the shore smiled 

 again and all was peace. 



I took the path that led to the sea, and descended 

 into a delightful ravine where the shadows of the 

 surrounding heights fell upon the waters of the turgid 

 stream. The primitive bridge had been washed away 

 and so I stood by the side of the torrent for some 

 moments and looked about me. 



In time I was taken back to yesterday. I saw 

 in my mind's eye those sturdy giants on yon wood- 

 land slopes shake and shiver and bend before the 

 blast ; I saw great branches hurtling through the 

 air and heard the wind howling with joy over its 

 ruthless work ; I saw the swelling sandhills rear 

 their heads in proud defiance of the foe. 



The transformation was indeed complete, with the 

 sunlight and shadow sporting among the trees like 

 young squirrels and with a tranquillity so soothing 

 all around. 



I at length succeeded in crossing the stream, and 

 walked along its margin for a little way. Then through 

 fiery bracken, knee-deep, and reed-like grass I trudged 

 up a high and steep sand-slope. From the summit I 

 had an expansive view of the sea. There were no 

 angry waves to-day, with their crests blown by the 

 gale into smoke ; there was no surging to and fro on 

 the beach of milk-white breakers ; there was only a 

 placid sea spread glittering in the sunlight, with the 

 tiniest and merriest of wavelets chasing one another 

 laughingly up the golden sands. It was here difficult 

 to believe that yesterday had ever been. 



