WEATHER PROPHETS 
195 
tion. We still stand and gaze, fascinated by its glare 
or lulled into dreamy forgetfulness by its easy, cease- 
less, evanescent transformations* But some one may 
be overtaken with a visitation for the idolatry of the 
little fire-worshippers who are burning the dry 
rushes in the marsh* 
The active weather prophets who are putting up 
their dark warning signals in the deep margins of the 
open water or among the half-submerged banks of 
rushes have no reason to fear, as the soaked vegetation 
with which they build is perfectly fire-proof* They 
have a great reputation for forecasting the weather, 
and have managed to sustain it all down the years* 
The man in doubt as to the nature of the coming 
winter still turns to the Muskrats for advice, and if 
their forecasts do not prove accurate they at least put 
his mind at rest for a time and supply him with a 
definite policy for root cellars and embankments. 
With perfect confidence the fork handle is thrust into 
the water beside the Muskrat house, and the depth is 
accepted as an accurate indication of the severity of 
the coming winter. If the winter is to be very cold 
the Muskrat knows all about it, and selects deep 
water so that the frost will not interfere with his 
tunnelling operations* That Muskrat estimates vary 
does not weaken popular faith or confidence* Their 
reputation rests on the invariable longevity of a 
successful prediction and the ephemeral life of all 
