THE FORESTERS. 39 



In sober circuit was allowed to pass, 



The reverend sire with sons and grandsons round, 



Ruddy as health, by summer suns embrowned, 



Inquires our road and news with modest mein, 



Tells of the countries he himself had seen ; 



His Indian battles, midnight ambuscades; 



Wounds and captivity in forest glades, 



And with such winning interestino- store, 



Of wild- wood tales and literary lore, 



Beguiled the evening and engaged each heart, 



That though sleep summoned, we were loath to part ; 



And e'en in bed reposed, the listening ear 



Seemed still the accents of the sage to hear. 



The morning came ; ye gods ! how quickly hies 

 To weary folks the hour when they must rise ! 

 Groping around, we fix our various load, 

 And full equipt forth issued to the road ; 

 Inured to toil, the woods slide swiftly past; 

 O'er many an opening farm our eyes we cast. 

 Here rich flat meadows most luxuriant lie; 

 Some glowing orchards gladly we espy ; 

 Full loaded peach trees drooping hung around, 

 Their mellow fruit thick scattered o'er the ground ; 

 Six cents procured us a sufficient store, 

 Our napkins crammed and pockets running o'er ; 

 Delicious fare ! Nor did we prize them less 

 Than Jews did manna in the wilderness. 

 Still journeying on, the river's brink we keep, 

 And pass the Narrows' high and dangerous steep, 

 That to the clouds like towering Atlas soars, 



