WHEN THE NIGHT FALLS. 239 



passed overhead — lines of large grey forms, trum- 

 peting and calling loudly, and the rushing swish, 

 swish of their mighty wings. These sights and 

 sounds for the dwellers in the snow-covered and 

 ice-bound marshes had deep meanings. They had 

 been sorely tried, but their cup, it might be, was 

 not filled yet, they said. Later on there were men, 

 women, and children down with ague and fever, 

 battling against these foes with stout hearts, as 

 best they could, without medical aid. All this I 

 know is a thing of the past, but it is not yet far 

 removed from us. Many a one that I knew well 

 there passed away, before his time, to the better 

 land, at nightfall. 



