A BED OF BOUGHS 



And so on. The intent seems to be to personify 

 the fearful cold that overtakes and benumbs the 

 traveler in the great Canadian forests in winter. 

 This stanza brings out the silence or desolation of 

 the scene very effectively, a scene without sound 

 or motion : 



" ' Save the wailing of the moose-bird 



With a plaintive note and low; 

 And the skating of the red leaf 

 Upon the frozen snow.' 



" The rest of the poem runs thus : 



" ' And said I, Though dark is falling, 



And far the camp must be, 

 Yet my heart it would be lightsome 

 If I had but company. 



" ' And then I sang and shouted, 

 Keeping measure as I sped, 

 To the harp-twang of the snow-shoe 

 As it sprang beneath my tread. 



" ' Nor far into the valley 



Had I dipped upon my way, 

 When a dusky figure joined me 

 In a capuchin of gray, 



" ' Bending upon the snow-shoes 



With a long and limber stride ; 

 And I hailed the dusky stranger, 

 As we traveled side by side. 

 237 



