In the Sierra 



boughs whorled like lily leaves in exact 

 order. This evening, as usual, the glow of 

 our camp-fire is working enchantment on 

 everything within reach of its rays. Lying 

 beneath the firs, it is glorious to see them 

 dipping their spires in the starry sky, the sky 

 like one vast lily meadow in bloom ! How 

 can I close my eyes on so precious a night ? 

 July 10.-- A Douglas squirrel, peppery, 

 pungent autocrat of the woods, is barking 

 overhead this morning, and the small forest 

 birds, so seldom seen when one travels nois- 

 ily, are out on sunny branches along the 

 edge of the meadow getting warm, taking 

 a sun bath and dew bath a fine sight. How 

 charming the sprightly confident looks and 

 ways of these little feathered people of the 

 trees! They seem sure of dainty, wholesome 

 breakfasts, and where are so many break- 

 fasts to come from ? How helpless should we 

 find ourselves should we try to set a table 

 for them of such buds, seeds, insects, etc., 

 as would keep them in the pure wild health 



[ 127 J 



i 



