n and bare, stopped for a moment, then
went down, down into the ground, where all was dark. I met other drops
trying to get out, and we went on together, turning first this way, then
that way, till we burst into the sunshine again."

"We rested for a moment in a tiny pool of clear water; then I ran with
the rest down the mountain side, slipping over smooth pebbles, and
tumbling over sharp rocks, until I found myself in a deep, swift stream,
where plants and trees grew on either bank."

[Illustration: "SUDDENLY WE FELL OVER THE ROCKS."]
"As I was hurried along, I heard a great roaring noise made by the river
falling over a high ledge of rocks, as a cataract or waterfall. Suddenly
we fell over the rocks so steep and high that we went leaping and
dashing in all directions. We rose in the air in a fine gray mist, then
sank back again into the foam-covered stream.

[Illustration: "THEN WE CAME TO A BIG MILL-WHEEL."]

"Soon we were in a broad, quiet river, flowing past the grassy hills and
green pastures. Then we came to a big mill-wheel, upon which we jumped,
and by our weight made it turn over and over, and thus move the
machinery in the mill. Here we were tossed in the air, whirled around,
and at last flung back into the river, where we sailed slowly and
quietly as before.

"By and by, we saw large boats floating on the water. We passed towns
and cities with busy streets and many people; and as our river widened,
and we heard the big sea waves dashing against the shore, we knew our
brothers and sisters were singing a welcome home.

[Illustration: "WE PASSED TOWNS AND CITIES."]

"And now farewell, little squirrel. My story is done, and I must hasten
to my home in the sea. Perhaps we shall meet again some day. I may float
down to you, a white-winged snowflake, or patter down as I came this
time, a tiny raindrop."

_Write the following:_

The water rises from the sea in vapor.

The vapor is turned into clouds, which fall in rain or snow.

The rain forms rivers, which flow back again into the sea.

Thus the water is always going round and round in its long and curious
journey--up to the clouds in vapor, down in rain, back in streams to the
place it started from.

LESSON XXIII.

THE RIVER.

"Oh, tell me, pretty river,
Whence do thy waters flow?
And whither art thou roaming,
So smoothly and so slow?"

"My birthplace was the mountain,
My nurse the April showers;
My cradle was a fo