THE BROWNIES' VOYAGE.

ne night, a restless Brownie band Resolved to leave their native strand, And visit islands fair and green, That in the distance might be seen. In answer to a summons wide, The Brownies came from every side— A novel spectacle they made, All mustered in the forest shade. With working implements they came, Of every fashion, use, and name. Said one, "How many times have we Surveyed those islands in the sea, And longed for means to thither sail And ramble over hill and vale!

That pleasure rare we may command, Without the aid of human hand. And ere the faintest streak of gray Has advertised the coming day, A sturdy craft, both tough and tall, With masts and halyards, shrouds and all, With sails to spread, and helm to guide, Completed from the ways shall glide. So exercise your mystic power And make the most of every hour!"

Some fell to chopping down the trees, And some to hewing ribs and knees; While more the ponderous keelson made, And fast the shapely hull was laid. Then over all they clambered soon, Like bees around their hive in June. 'T was hammer, hammer, here and there, And rip and racket everywhere,

While some were spiking planks and beams, The calkers stuffed the yawning seams, And poured the resin left and right, To make her stanch and water-tight. Some busily were bringing nails, And bolts of canvas for the sails, And coils of rope of every size To make the ratlines, shrouds, and guys.

Until, with all its rigs and stays, It sat prepared to leave the ways. It but remained to name it now, And break a bottle on the bow, To knock the wedges from the side, And from the keel, and let it slide.

But those who will the ocean brave Should be prepared for wind and wave For storms will rise, as many know, When least we look for squall or blow And soon the sky was overcast, And waves were running high and fast;

Then some were sick and some were filled With fears that all their ardor chilled; But, as when dangers do assail The humankind, though some may quail, There will be found a few to face The danger, and redeem the race,—

So, some brave Brownies nobly stood And manned the ship as best they could. Some staid on deck to sound for bars; Some went aloft to watch for stars; And some around the rudder hung, And here and there the vessel swung, While, others, strung on yard and mast, Kept shifting sails to suit the blast. At times, the bow was high in air, And next the stern was lifted there.

So thus it tumbled, tossed, and rolled, And shipped enough to fill the hold, Till more than once it seemed as though To feed the fish they all must go.

But still they bravely tacked and veered, And hauled, and reefed, and onward steered; While screaming birds around them wheeled, As if to say: "Your doom is sealed"; And hungry gar and hopeful shark In shoals pursued the creaking bark, Still wondering how it braved a gale That might have made Columbus pale. The rugged island, near them now, Was looming on their starboard bow; But knowing not the proper way Of entering its sheltered bay, They simply kept their canvas spread, And steered the vessel straight ahead. The birds were distanced in the race; The gar and shark gave up the chase, And turning back, forsook the keel, And lost their chances of a meal.