Herons, Rais, Etc. 217 
CHAPTER XI. 
HERONS, RAILS, ETC. 
T was as far back as 1851 or 1852 that I over- 
heard the remark that there was a freshet on the 
meadows and many strange birds about. My curios- 
ity was excited, for I had been taken to the meadows 
and seen them under all their summer aspects. But 
what of this wide reach of lowlands now with a 
‘“freshet” on them? It had recently been raining, 
that I knew; but the fields were dry and all about 
seemed just as usual, but fresher after the continuous 
downpour that for three days had kept me house- 
bound. I was beginning to feel abundant self-confi- 
dence, and longed to be in some measure my own 
master. I asked no questions, but early in the morn- 
ing stole off to the wonderful meadows. As I ap- 
proached I saw no change, but directly after per- 
ceived that familiar pastures were glittering with 
water. I kept upon the higher ground and followed 
a path leading to the creek. It was all so strange, 
and in the brilliant sunshine of a June morning every 
bird seemed unnaturally large and sang with an 
earnestness that almost startled me. The bushes hid 
the creek at every point, and I drew them aside that 
I might stand alone on the bank where in time past 
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