r the faint crack of the twig
beneath the panther's foot. I saw not the lurching gallop of the
long-jawed wolf, nor the high, elastic bounding of the deer. The
level swinging speed of the antelope, the slinking of the lynx,
the crashing flight of the wapiti--no, it was none of these that
came to mind; nor did the mountains nor the plains, nor the
wilderness of the pines. But when the Singing Mouse whispered,
"Do you see?" I murmured in reply, "I see it all again!"

I saw the small, low hills, well covered with short oaks and
hazel bushes, which rolled on away from the village, far out,
almost to the Delectable Mountains, which are well known to be
upon the edge of the world. Through these low hills a winding
road led on, a road whose end no man had ever reached, but which
went to places where, no doubt, many wonders were--perhaps even
to the Delectable Mountains; for so a wise man once had said,
his words harkened to with awe. This was a pleasant road, lined
with brave sumacs, with bushes of the wild blackberry, and with
small hazel trees which soon would offer fruit for the regular
harvest of the fall, this same to be spread for drying on
the woodshed roof. It was perhaps wise curiosity as to the
crop of nuts which had brought thus far from home these two
figures--an enormous distance, perhaps at least a mile beyond what
heretofore had been the utmost limit of their wanderings. It was
not, perhaps, safe to venture so far. There were known to be
strange creatures in these woods, one knew not what. It was
therefore well that the younger boy should clasp tightly the
hand of the older, him who bore with such confidence the bow and
arrows, potent weapons of those days gone by!

[Illustration]

It was half with fear and half with curiosity that these two
wandered on, along this mysterious road, through this wild and
unknown wilderness, so far from any habitation of mankind. The
zeal of the explorer held them fast. They scarce dared fare
farther on, but yet would not turn back. The noises of the woods
thrilled them. The sudden clanging note of the jay near by
caused them to stop, heart in mouth for the moment. Strange
rustlings in the leaves made them cross the road, and step more
quickly. Yet the cawing of a crow across the woods seemed
friendly, and a small brown bird which hopped ahead along the
road was intimate and kind, and thus touched the founts of
bravery in the two venturous hearts. Certainly they would go on.