242 IN A UTUMN. 



an instant the mink disappeared. There was 

 not in this case a single act upon the part of the 

 animal that differed from a timid and at the same 

 time inquisitive child, and however much others 

 may demur, I consider the mental activity the 

 same in each. 



Long before sunset the sky became clouded, 

 the shadows in the wood were deepened, and 

 wild life was better heard than seen. Then the 

 resounding raindrops striking the crisp leaves 

 dulled all other sounds, and bade me seek refuge. 

 I had not long to search, and, without hesitation, 

 pushed through a jagged opening into a huge hol- 

 low maple. It is seldom that such convenient shel- 

 ters are unoccupied ; certainly this one was not. 



Spiders in that hollow tree, 

 How they came and glared at me ! 

 On trembling bridges overhead 

 To and fro in anger sped ; 

 But the fear they would arouse, 

 While unbidden in their house, 

 Failed my stubborn nerves to touch, 

 Though they threatened overmuch. 

 From the moss, with glittering eye, 

 Mottled snake went gliding by ; 

 With its forked tongue thrust out, 

 Wondered what I was about, 

 Standing in the hollow tree, 

 Wild-life's home, this century. 

 Centipedes, uncanny forms, 

 Slimy, slippery, noisome worms, 



