234 IN AUTUMN. 



head groaned dolorously, I was disposed to for- 

 get that it was my own feet that broke the 

 former and the wind that moved the tree-tops. 

 What a fool man can be upon occasion ! Be it 

 on record, however, that the woods were entered, 

 and many a rod was measured with firm steps, 

 when, at a turn in the road, a flickering, sickly 

 light danced in the foreground. A gypsy camp, 

 I thought, and how still I stood ! Then, while 

 staring steadily at the pallid flame, I saw there 

 was no one near it, and the truth flashed upon 

 me. It was merely a will-o'-the-wisp. I laughed 

 at my blunder ; so did an owl. Woo-roo-roo / 

 shouted the feathered imp in my ears. Never 

 was sound more welcome. Now I was well at 

 home. A hermit for a day loves company this 

 I learned ; and the little red owl and I are old 

 friends. I took his hooting as a hearty welcome, 

 and with lighter steps followed the crooked wood 

 road. Now every sound excited curiosity, no 

 doubt ; and when this is true, a walk in the 

 woods, be it night or day, is an unmixed delight. 

 Later, as the pale gray dawn sifted its meager 

 light through the trees, I paused at many a fa- 

 miliar tree and shrub. All regrets had vanished, 

 and I bade the swamp " Good morning " with a 

 hearty shout, when the old sycamore loomed up 

 before me, its scattered leaves gilded by the her- 

 ald rays of the slowly rising sun. There was 



