298
Concord, Mass.
1897.
Oct. 19
  Clear and warm with fresh W. wind in P.M.
  After spending the past two weeks in Cambridge I
started for Concord this morning taking Gilbert for I
intend to live at the cabin for the next three or four
weeks, if all goes well. My chief reason for settling on
this plan is that it will enable me to spend practically 
my whole time in the woods where alone I can
hope to recover from my lameness. I have not used
the crutches since my return from the Lake but I
have come near doing so the past few days for I
have been losing rather than gaining ground for a
week or more and of late have been able to walk
only a few rods at a time.
  Taking the 9.15 morning train we reached Concord
a little after 10. The remainder of the forenoon was
spent in getting the canoes packed & ready. A new
one, 16 ft. long, made by Jim at the Lake and sent
to Concord by freighter is now added to the fleet.
I took it down river this afternoon in tow of my
Rushton canoe Gilbert going in the little open canoe.
We sent down all the luggage by wagon.
  On the way down (I sailed most of the distance) I
heard Song & Swamp Sparrows & saw a fine adult [male]
Marsh Hawk & a flock of about 30 Tit larks. As I
stood in the cabin door at sunset two Hermit Thrushes
came flitting past, clucking & lifting their tails. A very
large & fat Grey Squirrel also appeared in the birches.
Two or three White-throated Sparrows were near at hand.