Till? IIESI'EUIAN.
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winddlowcrs sway in tlie hrcc.c. Everything in these secluded
spots lulls one to repose. The murmur of rills, the chirp of
insects, and the twittering of birds only ndd to the clmnus,
and make these quiet dells most delightful haunts for the
lover of nature.
One bright June morning, before the sun had yet peeped
over the high ridges, a mnn passed down the principal street
of the little village ot Caatklll and struck across the meadows
toward the mountains. He had n frank, manly countenance.
His whole appearance indicated good health and a wholesome
disposition. A long tin case hung by a strap from his shoulder.
This case together with the quick, observnnt glances which he
cast about him proved that he was a botanist. His long steady
stride carried him across the field J at a rapid rate. Now and
then he stopped to jot dtwnau observation, or to put some
new flower into his 'jase. He followed the course of the K.at
erskill, keeping a sharp lookout for unfamiliar plants, both
in the stream and on the bank.
Gradually this way became steeper and the brook began to
tumble along more noisily. The botanist walked slowly up
the ascent, noting how rapidly the character of the vegetation
changed. On these stony hill sides a great number of flowers
grew, but they, were more hardy than those of the fields. The
golden flowers of the eo-ydales peered out from behind the
great flinty rocks. Along the stream grew large p.itches of nas
turtium and the blue rock cress. Here, too, the little stemless
violets uplifted their purplish pitals to the sunshine; scarcely
visible among the more pretentious and show asters. Pro
ceeding still more slowly, the botanist stopped frequently to
examine, or to admire. Following a faint path which he
found here, he plunged into the immense forest that covered
theCaatskills.
The way now became more difficult. In the younger part
of the forest, the young saplings were crowned together like
canes in the field. Large creeping plants entangled his feet
and hugr climbers, hanging down from the branches above,
brushed sharply against him. Ashe went deeper into the
woods, the climbing and trailing plants disappeared, the
coarser grasses gave way to the tender blue grass, and the sap
lings made room for the giant pines. Among these mammoth
trees, he. found much to interest him. From the trees he cut
mosses and lichens-, and wrapping them up carefully in moist
paper, put them in his case. He then turned his attention to
the flowers about him. Having gathered a handful of those
new to him, he sat down to eat his lunch before indentifying
them. Having finished his luncheon, he formed a comfortable
position against a moss-covered trunk and began the iudenti
llcatiou of his specimens. The sultriness of the air soon over
came him, however, and he fell asleep.
A low dull rumbling startled him. The sound seemed to
bound from crag to crag, every moment increasing in vol
ume. He looked np quickly, expecting to see a thunder-cloud
approaching, but the sky was clear and radiant. Again he
lieard the rumbling noise. Determining to find out what it
was, he rose to his feet, and started off in the direction from
which the sound seemed to come. He had gone but a short
distance when he found his advance stopped by a precipitous
rock which seemed to bar farther progress. On closer scru
tiny, however, he espied a jagged fissure, scarcely large enough
to admit a man's body. After forcing his way through this
for several yards, the fissure suddenly widened and the botan
ist found his progress stopped by a large stone slab, which
was hung upon hinges and served as a door. After a short
search, he found a massive iron key, covered with a thick coat
of. rust, which it had taken many years to accumulate. With
difficulty, he inserted the key in the keyhole, and putting forth
all his strength, succeeded in forcing the rusted lock back.
The heavy door, creaking and groaning, slowly swung open.
Ilefore him, the botanist saw a narrow little valley, hem
med in on all sides by barren rockey walls. The valley itself
was a beautiful place, carpeted with a close soft sod and
dotted here and there with hawthorns in blossom. In the
middle of this secluded spot were several groups of little men,
veritable kobolds in stature, dressed in the most antiquated
style. All were clothed in loose-fitting brown jerkins and
knee-breceh.es of the same color. A massive silver buckle was
fastened at each knee, and the heavy leather shoes were simi
larly ornamented. All wore great three-cornered hats. Each
one puffed away in silence at his long-stemmed pipe with its
silver bowl. Some, pipe in hand, were talking earnestly
together, others were smoking dreamily by themselves. One
little old fellow sat on a rock intently perusing an old "Her
bal", through a great pair of spectacles which rested on his
nose. A little distance apart from the others, a group was
playing at nine pins. The balls rolling along the hard rocky
floor made a rumbl'ng noise, which echoed and re-echoed
down the little valley. Among these little men, the botanist
noticed one who was treated with greater deference and
respect. This one was dressed like the others, yet his manner
proclaimed him their leader. An old-fashioned sword hung
at his side. On his knee he held a large journul in which he
seemed to be writing. In nil, the botanist observed gravity
and silence. No one smiled or laughed, but each moved about
his duties with an unperturbed gravity. As the botanist was
about to advance to speak with these little dwarfs, the rum
bling noise suddenly culminated in a terrific peal, the valley
and its gnome-like inhabitants disappeared instantly, and, as
nc awoke, a rain-drop struck him in the face.
A Jur From tli'o I.or Hook."
I1Y JAS. A. MINN.
Iit V'-vo Jirts. Concluded in liis issue.
For the next eighteen days we had the wind very favor
able ami made pretty good headway. The captain said that
we were about two hundred and fifty miles from the mouth
of the St. Lawrence. Hut on the next day the wind struck
us right ahead from the nor' wes'. This was a great incon
venience, after making such rapid progress, to be delayed
and to have to beat around when we were almost in port. At
about 5 p. m. the sky grew cloudy and the wind commenced
to blow harder, so that we were obliged to take in our top
gallant and royal-sails. At 6 p. m. all hands were called on
deck to reef the topsails. After we had snugged her down
under close canvas our watch went below until 8 p. m. The
wind was blowing about the same when eight bells were
struck, and the watch came on deck again. Everything went
along well for the first two hours. Four bells were struck
and the wheel and lookout weie relieved. I again resumed
my valk on the qunrtei deck. At about n p. m. while we
were on the starboard tack, the lookout reported a light on
the lee bow. It was a steam boat's ma6t head light
Now, by the "rule ol the road" al sea, it was the duty of
the steamer to keep clear. Al first, we paid no attention to
the light. When she was about hall a mile to leeward, she
was seen to swing around and head directly for us. This
was strange conduct, and we did not understand it. I imme
diately called the captain who was very much surprised. The
steamer came along under full steam and just crossed our
bows by about a ship's length. It was the closest shave I
ever had. At first we thought the man at the wheel and the
officer of the watch of the steamer were asleep. We kept on
our course, and in about ten minutes the steamer which was
by this time on our starboard quarter, was seen to swing
aroand again and head for us. This second manoeuvre threw
all doubts aside: we saw that she was trying to sink us. I
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