FROM BANGOR TO HOULTON. 227 



houses. The fort is well situated, and commands a fine view of 

 Mars Hill, which is about thirteen miles distant. A custom- 

 house has been erecte 1 here, the place being 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 per- 

 haps the best now in the Union. It was incomplete, however, 

 for some miles, so that our travelling 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 tim,e 

 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 inquiry re- 

 specting birds, quadrupeds, and fishes, and was pleased to hear 

 that all of 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 aU her loveliness, and autumn, 

 with her mellow tints, her glowing 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 hung cluster- 

 ing around us ; and as we came in view of the Penobscot Eiver^ 

 our hearts thrilled with joy. Its broad transparent waters here 

 spread out their unruffled surface, there danced along the rapids, 

 while canoes filled with Indians swiftly glided in every direc- 

 tion, raising before them the timorous waterfowl, that had 

 already flocked in from the north. Mountains, which you well 

 know are indispensable in a beautiful landscape, reared their 

 majestic crests in the distance. The Canada jay leaped gaily 

 from branch to twig; the kingfisher, as if vexed at being 

 suddenly surprised, rattled loudly as it swiftly flew off ; and the 

 fish-hawk and eagle spread their broad wings over the waters. 

 All around was beautiful, and we gazed on the scene with 

 delight as, seated on a verdant bank, we refreshed our frames 



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