160 LIFE OF AUDUBOK. 



the basis of the roads. After a while we overtook a whole 

 caravan of similar vehicles moving in the same direction ; and 

 when we got near them our horses slackened their pace to a 

 regular walk, the driver leaped from his seat, I followed his 

 example, and we presently foimd ourselves in the midst of a 

 group of merry waggoners, relating their adventures of the 

 week, it being now Saturday night. One gave intimation of 

 the number of ' sheep's-heads ' he had taken to town ; another 

 spoke of the curlews which yet remained on the sands ; and a 

 third boasted of having gathered so many dozens of marsh hens' 

 eggs. I inquired if the fish-hawks were plentiful near Great 

 Egg Harbour, and was answered by an elderly man, who, with 

 a laugh, asked if I had ever seen the ' weak fish ' along the 

 coast without the bird in question. Not knowing the animal he 

 had named, I confessed my ignorance, when the whole party 

 burst into a loud laugh, in which, there being nothing better for 

 it, I joined. 



"About midnight the caravan reached a half-way hodse, 

 where we rested a while. Several roads diverged from this spot, 

 and the waggons separated, one only keeping us company. 

 The night was dark and gloomy, but the sand of the road 

 indicated our course very distinctly. Suddenly the galloping 

 of horses struck my ear, and on looking back, we perceived that 

 our waggon must in an instant be in imminent danger. The 

 driver leaped off, and drew his steeds aside, barely in time to 

 allow the runaways to pass without injuring us. Off they went 

 at full speed, and not long after their owner came up panting, 

 and informed us that they had suddenly taken fright at some 

 noise proceeding from the woods, but hoped they would soon 

 stop. Immediately after we heard a crash; then for a few 

 moments all was silent; but the neighing of the horses pre- 

 sently assured us that they had broken loose. On reaching the 

 spot we found the waggon upset, and a few yards further on 

 were the horses quietly browsing by the road-side. 



" The first dawn of mom in the Jerseys, in the month of 

 June, is worthy of a better description than I can furnish ; and 

 therefore I shall only say that the moment the sunbeams 

 blazed over the horizon, the loud and mellow notes of the 

 meadow lark saluted our ears. On each side of the road were 



