at part of earth their wreck would strew,
A marshy plain, a rocky shore,
Or ocean with its sullen roar.

[Illustration]

It happened as they neared the ground,
A rushing gale was sweeping round,
That caught and carried them with speed
Across the forest and the mead.
Then lively catching might be seen
At cedar tops and branches green;
While still the stump behind them swung,
On this it caught, to that it hung,
And, as an anchor, played a part
They little thought of at the start.
At length, in spite of sweeping blast,
Some friendly branches held them fast:
And then, descending, safe and sound,
The daring Brownies reached the ground
But in the tree-top on the hill
The old balloon is hanging still,
And saves the farmers on the plain
From placing scare-crows in their grain.

THE BROWNIES CANOEING.

[Illustration]

AS day in shades of evening sank,
The Brownies reached a river bank;
And there awhile stood gazing down
At students from a neighboring town,
Whose light canoes charmed every eye,
As one by one they floated by.
Said one, "We'll follow, as they go,
Until they gain the point below.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

There stands a house, but lately made,
Wherein the club's effects are laid;
We'll take possession after dark,
And in these strange affairs embark."

[Illustration]

They all declared, at any cost,
A chance like this should ne'er be lost;
And keeping well the men in sight
They followed closely as they might.

[Illustration]

The moon was climbing o'er the hill,
The owl was hooting by the mill,
When from the building on the sands
The boats were shoved with willing hands.
A "Shadow" model some explored,
And then well-pleased they rushed on board;
The open "Peterboro'," too,
Found its supporters--and a crew.
The Indian "Birch-bark" seemed too frail
And lacked the adjunct of a sail,
Yet of a load it did not fail,--
For all the boats were in demand;
As well those which with skill were planned