The Black Swans 



stood upon the top of that range of 

 hills to be seen there on our western 

 horizon. In the valley beyond flows 

 the little river called Des Plaines. 

 Farther north a low water shed divides 

 its drainage from another stream, once 

 known as the south branch of the 

 Chicago, that emptied into the big 

 lake. The portage was a short one for 

 the aborigines and for the explorers 

 journeying from Mackinac to the Mis- 

 sissippi. My guest from the hills is 

 telling that his arboreal ancestors stood 

 and watched with wonder LaSalle and 

 his intrepid company pass silently 

 below between those brushy banks, 

 his barges freighted deep with fate for 

 France and you and me! His works, 

 his deeds, live after him ! And the oak 

 now falling into ashes on the hearth is 

 saying that before it came to us it 

 threw its own seed on the soil from 

 whence it sprang, and other oaks for 

 other fires are growing where it fell. 

 And so we learn again. Each "little 

 [26] 



