er.

One might fancy Eden to have been somewhat similar to this, and here, as
there, the presence of the Lord might be recognised in a higher degree
than in most other parts of this earth, for, in this almost untrodden
wilderness, His pre-eminently beautiful works have not yet to any great
extent been marred by the hand of man.

Far away towards the north, two horsemen may be seen wending their way
through the country at a slow, ambling pace, as if they would fain
prolong their ride in such a lovely vale. The one is Ned Sinton, the
other Tom Collins.

It had cost these worthies a week of steady riding, to reach the spot on
which we now find them, during which time they had passed through great
varieties of scenery, had seen many specimens of digging-life, and had
experienced not a few vicissitudes; but their griefs were few and slight
compared with their enjoyments, and, at the moment we overtake them,
they were riding they knew not and they cared not whither! Sufficient
for them to know that the wilds before them were illimitable; that their
steeds were of the best and fleetest Mexican breed; that their purses
were well-lined with dollars and gold-dust; that they were armed with
rifles, pistols, knives, and ammunition, to the teeth; and that the land
was swarming with game.

"'Tis a perfect paradise!" exclaimed Tom Collins, as they reined up on
the brow of a hill to gaze at the magnificent prospect before them.

"Strange," murmured Ned, half soliloquising, "that, although so wild and
uncultivated, it should remind me so forcibly of home. Yonder bend in
the stream, and the scenery round it, is so like to the spot where I was
born, and where I spent my earliest years, that I can almost fancy the
old house will come into view at the next turn."

"It does indeed remind one of the cultivated parks of England," replied
Tom; "but almost all my early associations are connected with cities. I
have seen little of uncontaminated nature all my life, except the blue
sky through chimney tops, and even that was seen through a medium of
smoke."

"Do you know," remarked Ned, as they resumed their journey at a slow
pace, "it has always seemed to me that cities are unnatural
monstrosities, and that there should be no such things!"

"Indeed," replied Tom, laughing; "how, then, would you have men to
live?"

"In the country, of course, in cottages and detached houses. I would
sow London, Liverpool, Manchester, etcetera, broa