When I grew tired of observing him, and looked toward the sky again,
behold the western ridge, which is far higher than the eastern hills,
had caught upon its summits the first bright rays of the yet unseen
day-god; while the rosy flush of the east had brightened into a blaze of
living gold, exceeded only by the glorious hues with which a few bright
specks of misty cloud glowed out against the azure firmament, like coals
of actual fire. Again a louder splash aroused me; and, as I turned,
there floated on a glassy basin, into which the ripples of a tiny fall
subsided, three wood-ducks, with a noble drake, that loveliest in
plumage of all aquatic fowl, perfectly undisturbed and fearless,
although within ten yards of their most dreaded enemy.
How beautiful are all their motions! There! one has reared herself half
way out of the water; another stretches forth a delicate web foot to
scratch her ear, as handily as a dog on dry land; and now the drake
reflects his purple neck to preen his ruffled wing, and now--bad luck to
you, Peacock, why did you snort and stamp?--they are off like a bullet,
and out of sight in an instant.
And now out comes the sun himself, and with him the accursed hum of a
musquitoe--and hark! hush!--what was that?--was it? By Heavens! it was
the deep note of a fox-hound! Aye! there comes Harry's cheer, faintly
heard, swelling up the breeze.
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