80 VOICES FROM THE WOODLANDS. 



of finding him alive. And they did find him, lying ex- 

 hausted on the damp muddy ground. When the water 

 began to abate, he had descended to the roof of his hut ; 

 and when the earth appeared, he slid down warily, but 

 his strength failed, and he fell. 



The hermit joyfully partook of the refreshing cordial 

 and the cake which Annette had brought ; and when the 

 father, having retraced his steps, obtained a boat and strong 

 rowers, the old man was taken to the cottage of the vine- 

 dresser, where he spent the remainder of his days. 



" Blessed be thou, my child," said the recluse in dying, 

 " and blessed be thy husband and thy children. Be thou 

 and they as the firm oak that upheld me, amid the strife 

 of waters ; may the dew of heaven descend upon you, and 

 the summer sun visit you, and may the storms of life 

 never prevail to overthrow you." 



The vine-dresser had been long dead, and Annette had 

 become a wife and mother, when the old man was sum- 

 moned hence. He loved to look on the noble tree from 



