JOURNEY IN NEW BRUNSWICK AND MAINE. 461 



All the low grounds along the river were suddenly flooded, and even 

 the elevated plain on which Frederickton stands was covered to the 

 depth of four feet. Fortunately, however, as on the greater streams of 

 the Western and Southern Districts, such an occurrence seldom takes 

 place. 



Major Clarke, commander of the United States garrison, received 

 us with remarkable kindness. The next day was spent in a long though 

 fruitless ornithological excursion, for although we were accompanied by 

 oificers and men from the garrison, not a bird did any of our party pro- 

 cure that was of any use to us. We remained a few days, however, after 

 which, hiring a cart, two horses, and a driver, we proceeded in the direc- 

 tion of Bangor. 



Houlton is a neat village, consisting of some fifty houses. The fort 

 is well situated, and commands a fine view of Mar's Hill, which is about 

 thirteen miles distant. A custom-house has been erected here, the place be- 

 ing on the boundary line of the United States and the British Provinces. 

 The road which was cut by the soldiers of this garrison, from Bangor to 

 Houlton, through the forests, is at this moment a fine turnpike, of great 

 breadth, almost straight in its whole length, and perhaps the best now in 

 the Union. It was incomplete, however, for some miles, so that our travel- 

 ling over that portion was slow and disagreeable. The rain, which fell in 

 torrents, reduced the newly raised earth to a complete bed of mud, and at 

 one time our horses became so completely mired, that had we not been 

 extricated by two oxen, we must have spent the night near the spot. 

 Jogging along at a very slow pace, we were overtaken by a gay waggoner, 

 who had excellent horses, two of which a little " siller"" induced him to 

 join to ours, and we were taken to a tavern at the " Cross Roads," where 

 we spent the night in comfort. While supper was preparing, I made 

 inquiries respecting birds, quadrupeds, and fishes, and was pleased to hear 

 that all these animals abounded in the neighbourhood. Deer, bears 

 trouts, and grouse were quite plentiful, as was the Great Grey Owl ! 



When we resumed our journey next morning. Nature displayed all 

 her loveliness ; and Autumn, with her mellow tints, her glowino- fruits, 

 and her rich fields of corn, smiled in placid beauty. Many of the fields 

 had not yet been reaped, the fruits of the forests and orchards huno- 

 clustering around us, and as we came in view of the Penobscot River, our 

 hearts thrilled with joy. Its broad transparent waters here spread out 

 their unruffled surface, there danced along the rapids, while canoes filled 



