rn Sea,
And on Isabel Island alone,
A tree village is found, up the steep, rocky ground,
On the top of a mountain of stone.

So gigantic the trees that it is not with ease
That the houses of natives are built,
For the stems are six score of our feet, maybe more,
And you'd think they must live on a stilt.

By a ladder facade the ascent must be made,
Formed of pliable trees, or a creeper
Resembling the vine, which the natives entwine,--
And the ladder's drawn up by the sleeper;

For these houses are made but to sleep in, 'tis said,
When some enemy threatens;--to guard
'Gainst surprise in the night, they are fortified quite,
With great stones, to be thrown at a pard.

At the foot, of these trees are the day-huts for ease
And for eating and dancing and play,
Yet the huts up so high have a goodly supply
Of the needful for night or for day.

{168}

_NO EYES._

Those Creatures that live in the dark,
And have no use for eyes,
Are made without these organs bright,
Which we so highly prize.

The fish in the Mammoth cave,--
Some species of the Ant,
Have only a trace where eyes should be,
Yet never know the want.

{169}

Who knows but girls and boys,
Kept always in the dark,
Might come to have but little sight,
And finally not a spark.

God meant us to live in the light,
He has poured it all about;
Oh, let us not ourselves destroy,
By shutting His sunshine out.

{170}

_THE MAMMOTH CAVE._

"WHAT is the Mammoth Cave?"
I hear the Children say,
Where fishes have no eyes nor sight,
And where 'tis dark by day?

You all have seen a ledge
Of big rocks piled, or stone?--
Now just suppose a door-way made,
Or entrance to go in.

{171}

And when you're in, a path
Leads on, right under ground,
And by-and-by you come to a place
Like a room with walls around.

'Tis jagged and rough and rude,
'Tis dark and damp as a grave,
But whether 'tis large or small,
'Tis always called a cave.

Now, Mammoth means _monstrous big_,
And the Mammoth cave, we claim
As the largest known in the world,
And that's what gives the name.

And it has many a room,
Quite large and wondrous grand,
And it has springs and streams and lakes,
All dark, you understand.

And here are fishes, too,
Yes, fishes with no eyes,
That have