3o6 MY COUNTRY WANDERINGS 



trait in the world of animal life. There he was, 

 little slumberer, no longer a wee, timorous beastie 

 as we know him to be, but sleeping peacefully and 

 securely. How ungracious it would have been 

 on our part to awaken him! He looked so com- 

 fortable and peaceful with all the world. The 

 Spring had not yet come, and even the little Dor- 

 mouse, tucked up in its Winter home, seemed to 

 be aware of it. Perchance, he was dreaming of 

 sunny skies, soft airs, flowering slopes, and Blue- 

 bell-covered woodlands. But at the time he was 

 discovered 'twas only a dream, and he slept on ! 



In the woodland one late April morning I wit- 

 nessed such a sight as I have never seen before. 

 The ground was water-strewn; dead branches 

 from the trees had been wrenched from their 

 moorings by the gale overnight, the Primroses 

 were ruined by the snow, many small trees had 

 been thrown across the greenwood's path by 

 reason of the weight of snow they were suddenly 

 called upon to bear; the birds were almost silent, 

 save for the spasmodic outburst of a Thrush and 

 a Lark in the adjacent meadows; the Dog's 

 Mercury hung its once fresh green head and seemed 

 wiltering as it is known to do later in the year, and 

 it was a relief to step out of the wooded fastness 

 and take to the open country again. 



Down the lanes water was rushing, the low- 

 lying meadows were flooded, well-known by- 



