52 Travels in a Tree-top 



as they tarried on the trembling twigs ; then, 

 mounting into the sunlight, sang loudly as 

 they flew, or darted into gloomy nooks so 

 hidden that not even a sunbeam could follow 

 them. 



The river with its attendant birds could 

 not claim all the merit ; the land was no less 

 beautiful. The oaks were not yet in leaf, 

 but there was no lack of green. The holly's 

 foliage was bright as May, the polished 

 leaves of the tea-berry shone as a midsummer 

 growth, the ink-berry had defied the winter's 

 storms, and the maples glowed as a great ruddy 

 flame. Really distin6l as was every obje6l, 

 yet, as a whole, the outlook was dreary, hazy, 

 half obscure, as we looked diredlly into the 

 wood, where the drooping moss festooned 

 the branches of the smaller oaks. 



No voyager ever set forth from so fair a 

 port. 



My companion knew the route, and with 

 an oar he took his place astern to guide the 

 boat safely down the swift stream. It was 

 all right as it proved, but at times I forgot 

 that I had come to see the forest. Instead, 

 an element of doubt as to the guide's ability 

 came painfully to the front. With devilish 



