732 FLOWERS AND FLOODS. 



positse of blood-red color and of purple; other flowers of liver 

 color, bright canary yellow, pink orchids on spikes thickly 

 covered all round, and of three inches in length ; spiderworts 

 of fine blue or yellow or even pink. Different colored asclepe- 

 dials ; beautiful yellow and red umbelliferous flowering plants ; 

 dill and wild parsnips ; pretty flowery aloes, yellow and red, in 

 one whorl of blossoms ; peas, and many other flowering plants 

 which he did not know. 



It is very beautiful to think of the sufferer amid such annoy- 

 ances, and exposed to such hardships, noticing these delicate 

 features of nature with so much care and pleasure. These 

 beautiful flowers were like the stars which be-gem the darkness 

 to remind us that darkness is not absolute; or like the little 

 deeds of kindness, or the little happinesses, which come to us in 

 the midst of periods of disappointment and protracted sorrow, 

 to silence our murmurings and prevent our despair. Living 

 things instinctively drew back from the borders of the flooded 

 country; flowers bloomed down to the edge of the waters, and 

 bloomed as beautifully on every spot of exposed ground as they 

 could have done if there had been no floods surrounding them. 

 We cannot think of anything else which so happily represents 

 the mercies of God. 



Many of the rivers had to be forded ; and though it would 

 seem a difficult task for one entirely unencumbered to get 

 through, his men nobly carried him. The timidity and un- 

 friendliness of the people greatly aggravated their condition. 

 They could get no reliable guide or correct information ; and 

 the weather was such that no observations could be made on 

 which they could depend in shaping their course. 



To be thus marching blindly, scantily provided with food, 

 absolutely ill much of the time, would seem to be enough to 

 break the stoutest spirit, yet this wonderful man never once 

 looked back — not one word of irresolution — but on, on, clinging 

 with incomprehensible pertinacity to his aim, he pressed for- 

 ward. The memorandum of one day's experience will illustrate 

 this dreadful march : 



"January 24. — Went on east and northeast to avoid the deep 

 part of a large river, which requires two canoes, but the men 

 sent by the chief would certainly hide them. Went one and 



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