WATSON'S CROSSING. 85 



some time, and then by short flights, from bush to bush 

 and tree to tree, kept a creekward course until out of 

 sight. Had I been on shore, I would never have sus- 

 pected that a cuckoo was near — unless, indeed, I heard 

 it clucking. 



As I proceeded, the meadows became more marshy 

 and shrubs were scattered along the creek's bank ; but 

 soon, standing alone, was found a thrifty plum-tree, and 

 a black haw so near by that their branches intertwined. 

 The fruit of the wild plum was about half ripe, and 

 either pale yellow or orange and red. It was far too 

 beautiful to leave behind, and I gathered all that was 

 within easy reach. With this fruit I felt that my 

 cargo was completed, and the scanty remnant of day- 

 light remaining demanded a hurried passage to my next 

 anchorage for the night, and this was yet to be found, 

 at or near the great swamp white-oaks whose towering 

 tops were still plainly visible against the dull crimson 

 of the sunset sky. 



The mysterious impulse that bade me remain after 

 sundown and until well into the night, was not brought 

 to bear upon me this evening. A suitable place to hide 

 my boat was now my only thought, and while a few 

 last rays of sunshine glinted through the tree -tops, I 

 found the desired haven in a cluster of button-bushes, 

 near the big oaks; and crushing the beautiful white 

 alisma's bloom, as I drew the boat upon the shore, was 

 about to start, with my many treasures, when two vines 

 commanded my attention. A climbing pea, with pur- 

 ple bloom, was on my right, and a clambering mikania 

 on my left. I gathered a long piece of each, that neither 



