178 Drifting 



the great trees that overhung the bank and 

 by one that had been fallen a long time and 

 was now lodged in the water. As I looked 

 towards the shore, I exclaimed, ' Here we 

 are indeed in a great wilderness. What 

 strangeness is concealed in this boundless 

 wood ? what wonder may at any time issue 

 from it, or fierce monster not be lurking in 

 the waters beneath us ?' Through the day 

 the cries of both birds and beasts were heard, 

 but not always. It was often so strangely 

 quiet that we were more affedted thereby 

 than by the sounds that at times issued forth. 

 At night there was great howling, as we 

 were told, of wolves, and the hooting of 

 owls, and often there plunged into the stream 

 wild stags that swam near to our boat. But 

 greater than all else, to our discomfort, were 

 the great sunken trunks of trees that were 

 across the channel, where the water was of 

 no great depth." 



What a change ! and would that this old 

 traveller could revisit the Delaware to-day. 

 My boat is free again and the mists are gone. 

 Through the trees are sifted the level sun- 

 beams. There is at least a chance now to 

 compare notes. The forest is now a field, 



