througli the skunk-cabbage and Indian turnip, 

 and covered almost ankle-deep with water, was 

 the creature's runway. 



I had moved leisurely along, yet not aim- 

 lessly. The whole June day was mine to waste ; 

 but it would not be well wasted if nothing more 

 purposeful than wasting were in mind. 



One does not often drift to a port. Going 

 into the woods to see anything is a very sure 

 way of seeing little or nothing ; and taking the 

 path to anywhere is certain to lead one nowhere 

 in particular. Many interested, nature-loving 

 people fail to enjoy the out-of-doors simply be- 

 cause they have no definite spot to reach, no 

 flower, bird, or bug to find when they enter the 

 fields and woods. Going forth "to commune 

 with nature" sounds very fine, but it is much 

 more difilcult work than conversing with the 

 Sphinx. In order to draw near to nature I re- 

 quire a pole with a hook and line on the end of 

 it. "While I watch the float and wait, if there 

 is any communion, it is nature who. holds it 

 with me through the medium of the pole I 

 need to have an errand to do ; some berries to 

 pick, a patch of potatoes to hoe (a very small 

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