54 THE FORESTERS. 



And eye, his royal pedigree confest; 



Snipes, splendid suinrner-ducks,(12) and divers wild, 



In one high heap triumphantly I piled ; 



Then joining heads that ne'er were joined before, 



Across my gun the feathery burden bore ; 



Sought out the path that scaled the mountain's side, 



Farewell ! " Goodbye !" the smiling younkers cried ; 



Up through th' incumbent shades I took my way, 



They to their boat with glittering dollar ga}'. 



The day was hot, the load of ponderous size, 

 To heaven's own gates the mountain seemed to rise ; 

 Large ruined logs the winding labyrinth crost, 

 And soon the path in tangling brush was lost. 

 Up these rough steeps I bore my plunder through, 

 That still more prized and more oppressive grew, 

 Till, drenched with sweat, I gained the mountain's head, 

 And steered as chance or blind conjecture led ; 

 Filled the deep forest with the shouts I made, 

 That died, unanswered, through the distant shade ; 

 While startled squirrels, mounting in affright, 

 Looked down, and chattered, at th' alarming sight. 

 At length two o-uns, that made the mountain roar, 

 Produced an answering peal from those before ; 

 And ten long miles in doubt and drudgery past, 

 I reached my comrade's and the road at last; 

 Where peals of mirth succeeding their amaze, 

 They shared my load, and loaded me with praise. 



Beyond the woods where Erie's waves extend, 

 Behold, once more, the setting sun descend ; 



