THE BROWNIES CANOEING.
Reading edition
s day in shades of evening sank, The Brownies reached a river bank; And there awhile stood gazing down At students from a neighboring town,
Whose light canoes charmed every eye, As one by one they floated by. Said one, "We'll follow, as they go, Until they gain the point below.
There stands a house, but lately made, Wherein the club's effects are laid; We'll take possession after dark, And in these strange affairs embark."
They all declared, at any cost, A chance like this should ne'er be lost; And keeping well the men in sight They followed closely as they might. The moon was climbing o'er the hill, The owl was hooting by the mill, When from the building on the sands The boats were shoved with willing hands. A "Shadow" model some explored, And then well-pleased they rushed on board; The open "Peterboro'," too, Found its supporters—and a crew. The Indian "Birch-bark" seemed too frail And lacked the adjunct of a sail, Yet of a load it did not fail,— For all the boats were in demand; As well those which with skill were planned
By men of keenest judgment ripe, As those of humbler, home-made type. And soon away sailed all the fleet With every Brownie in his seat.
The start was promising and fine; With little skill and less design They steered along as suited best, And let the current do the rest.
All nature seemed to be aware That something strange was stirring there. The owl to-whooed, the raven croaked; The mink and rat with caution poked
Their heads above the wave, aghast; While frogs a look of wonder cast And held their breath till all had passed. As every stream will show a bend, If one explores from end to end,
So every river, great and small, Must have its rapids and its fall; And those who on its surface glide O'er rough as well as smooth must ride. The stream whereon had started out The Brownie band in gleeful rout
Was wild enough At times it tum- O'er shelving rocks At times it formed A brood of whirl- That with each oth- As fated objects to please a trout. bled on its way and bowlders gray from side to side pools deep and wide er seemed to vie drifted nigh.
Ere long each watchful Brownie there, Of all these facts grew well aware; Some losing faith, as people will, In their companions' care or skill, Would seize the paddle for a time,
Until a disapproving chime Of voices made them rest their hand, And let still others take command. But, spite of current, whirl or go, In spite of hungry tribes below,—
The eel, the craw-fish, leech, and pout, That watched them from the starting out, And thought each moment flitting by Might spill them out a year's supply,— The Brownies drifted onward still; And though confusion baffled skill,
Canoes throughout the trying race Kept right side up in every case. But sport that traveled hand in hand With horrors hardly pleased the band, As pallid cheek and popping eye On every side could testify; And all agreed that wisdom lay In steering home without delay. So landing quick, the boats they tied To roots or trees as chance supplied, And plunging in the woods profound, They soon were lost to sight and sound.
