Woodsy Impressions 



place-memory, which enables certain animals or 

 savages to recognize any spot on which their eyes 

 have once rested. 



One late afternoon, years after I had found my 

 pond, I crossed the mountain from distant Ragged 

 Lake, heading for the home lake by a new route. 

 There was no trail; but near the foot of the 

 western slope of the hills I picked up an old lumber 

 road which seemed to lead in the right direction. 

 For a time all went well, and confidently; but 

 when the road dipped into an immense hollow, 

 and there showed signs of petering out, I followed 

 it with increasing doubt, not knowing where I 

 might come out of the woods or be forced to spend 

 the night. As I circled through a swale, having 

 left the road to avoid a press of alders that filled 

 it, an ash-tree lifted its glossy head above a 

 thicket with a cheery "Well met again, pilgrim! 

 Whither away now?" 



It was a surprising hail in that wild place, sug- 

 gestive of dreams or sleep-walking; but under the 

 illusion was a grain of reality which brought me to 

 an instant halt. After passing under thousands 

 of silent trees all day, suddenly here was one speak- 

 ing to me. And not only that, but wearing a 

 familiar look, like a face which smiles its recogni- 

 tion of you while you try in vain to place it. 

 Where, when had I seen that tree before? No, 



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