FIELD-DAYS IN CALIFORNIA 



within five minutes I saw that to-day's quest, 

 like the others, was to end in failure. The falls, 

 some fifteen or twenty feet in height, and the 

 inviting pool of still water below, seemed to be 

 all that the most fastidious ouzel could ask for ; 

 but the ouzel was not there. 



I was nearly discouraged, but hope revived 

 overnight, as it so often does (this is partly what 

 nights are for) ; and in the morning I said, " I 

 will try that place again." 



That was one of my good sayings. Socrates, 

 in the same case, could n't have done better. I 

 had gone perhaps halfway to the falls when I was 

 startled by a rattle of loud, sharp cries, which 

 seemed to rise from the bed of the brook in 

 front ; and two birds (I could not remember a 

 minute afterward whether I had seen them or 

 only heard them) went flying round the next turn 

 up the stream. I stole hurriedly along, over bould- 

 ers and what-not; and soon the same piercing 

 calls were repeated. This time I saw nothing ; 

 but I understood now that I had only one chance 

 left. If I was to overtake the birds again, it must 

 be at the fall. Once above that, they would be 

 lost. 



Quietly — as quietly as possible, the going be- 

 ing what it was — I hastened forward till at last 

 I had gone as far as I dared. If a side approach 

 104 



