Part 2

For volunteers would bravely hold A pumpkin till in halves it rolled; And then a turnip, quince, or pear, Would next be shot to pieces there; Till not alone the apples flew In halves before their arrows true, But even plums and cherries too. For Brownies, as we often find, Can soon excel the human kind, And carry off with effort slight The highest praise and honors bright.

THE BROWNIES FISHING.

When glassy lakes and streams about Gave up their bass and speckled trout, The Brownies stood by water clear As shades of evening gathered near.

Said one: "Now country lads begin To trim the rod and bend the pin To catch the frogs and minnows spry That in the brooks and ditches lie. While city chaps with reels come down, And line enough to gird the town, And flies of stranger shape and hue Than ever Mother Nature knew-- With horns like crickets, tails like mice, And plumes like birds of Paradise. Thus well prepared for sunny sky Or cloudy weather, wet or dry, They take the fish from stream and pool By native art and printed rule." Another said: "With peeping eyes I've watched an angler fighting flies, And thought, when thus he stood to bear The torture from those pests of air, There must indeed be pleasure fine Behind the baited hook and line. Now, off like arrows from the bow In search of tackle some must go; While others stay to dig supplies Of bait that anglers highly prize,-- Such kind as best will bring the pout The dace, the chub, and 'shiner' out; While locusts gathered from the grass Will answer well for thorny bass." Then some with speed for tackle start, And some to sandy banks depart, And some uplift a stone or rail In search of cricket, grub, or snail; While more in dewy meadows draw The drowsy locust from the straw. Nor is it long before the band Stands ready for the sport in hand. It seemed the time of all the year When fish the starving stage were near: They rose to straws and bits of bark, To bubbles bright and shadows dark, And jumped at hooks, concealed or bare, While yet they dangled in the air. Some Brownies many trials met Almost before their lines were wet; For stones below would hold them fast, And limbs above would stop the cast, And hands be forced to take a rest, At times when fish were biting best. Some stumbled in above their boots, And others spoiled their finest suits; But fun went on; for many there Had hooks that seemed a charm to bear, And fish of various scale and fin On every side were gathered in.

The catfish left his bed below, With croaks and protests from the go; And nerve as well as time it took From such a maw to win the hook. With horns that pointed every way, And life that seemed to stick and stay, Like antlered stag that stands at bay, He lay and eyed the Brownie band, And threatened every reaching hand. The gamy bass, when playing fine, Oft tried the strength of hook and line, And strove an hour before his mind To changing quarters was resigned. Some eels proved more than even match For those who made the wondrous catch, And, like a fortune won with ease, They slipped through fingers by degrees, And bade good-bye to margin sands, In spite of half a dozen hands. The hungry, wakeful birds of air Soon gathered 'round to claim their share, And did for days themselves regale On fish of every stripe and scale. Thus sport went on with laugh and shout, As hooks went in and fish came out, While more escaped with wounded gill, And yards of line they're trailing still; But day at length began to break, And forced the Brownies from the lake.

THE BROWNIES AT NIAGARA FALLS.

The Brownies' Band, while passing through The country with some scheme in view, Paused in their race, and well they might, When broad Niagara came in sight. Said one: "Give ear to what I say, I've been a traveler in my day; I've waded through Canadian mud To Montmorenci's tumbling flood. But ah! Niagara is the fall That truly overtops them all-- The children prattle of its tide, And age repeats its name with pride The school-boy draws it on his slate, The preacher owns its moral weight; The tourist views it dumb with awe, The Indian paints it for his squaw, And tells how many a warrior true Went o'er it in his bark canoe, And never after friend or foe Got sight of man or boat below." Another said: "The Brownie Band Upon the trembling brink may stand, Where kings and queens have sighed to be, But dare not risk themselves at sea."

Some played along the shelving ledge That beetled o'er the river's edge; Some gazed in meditation deep Upon the water's fearful leap; Some went below, to crawl about Behind the fall, that shooting out Left space where they might safely stand And view the scene so wild and grand. Some climbed the trees of cedar kind, That o'er the rushing stream inclined, To find a seat, to swing and frisk And bend the boughs at fearful risk; Until the rogues could dip and lave Their toes at times beneath the wave. Still more and more would venture out In spite of every warning shout. At last the weight that dangled there Was greater than the tree could bear. And then the snapping roots let go Their hold upon the rocks below, And leaping out away it rode Upon the stream with all its load! Then shouts that rose above the roar Went up from tree-top, and from shore, When it was thought that half the band Was now forever leaving land. It chanced, for reasons of their own, Some men around that tree had thrown A lengthy rope that still was strong And stretching fifty feet along. Before it disappeared from sight, The Brownies seized it in their might, And then a strain for half an hour Went on between the mystic power Of Brownie hands united all, And water rushing o'er the fall. But true to friends the Brownies strained, And inch by inch the tree was gained. Across the awful bend it passed With those in danger clinging fast, And soon it reached the rocky shore With all the Brownies safe once more. And then, as morning showed her face, The Brownies hastened from the place.

THE BROWNIES' GARDEN.

One night, as spring began to show In buds above and blades below, The Brownies reached a garden square That seemed in need of proper care. Said one, "Neglected ground like this Must argue some one most remiss, Or beds and paths would here be found Instead of rubbish scattered round. Old staves, and boots, and woolen strings, With bottles, bones, and wire-springs, Are quite unsightly things to see Where tender plants should sprouting be. This work must be progressing soon, If blossoms are to smile in June." A second said, "Let all give heed: On me depend to find the seed. For, thanks to my foreseeing mind, To merchants' goods we're not confined. Last autumn, when the leaves grew sere And birds sought regions less severe, One night through gardens fair I sped, And gathered seeds from every bed; Then placed them in a hollow tree, Where still they rest. So trust to me To bring supplies, while you prepare The mellow garden-soil with care."

Another cried, "While some one goes To find the shovels, rakes, and hoes, That in the sheds are stowed away, We'll use this plow as best we may. Our arms, united at the chain, Will not be exercised in vain, But, as if colts were in the trace, We'll make it dance around the place. I know how deep the share should go, And how the sods to overthrow. So not a patch of ground the size Of this old cap, when flat it lies, But shall attentive care receive, And be improved before we leave." Then some to guide the plow began, Others the walks and beds to plan. And soon they gazed with anxious eyes For those who ran for seed-supplies. But, when they came, one had his say, And thus explained the long delay: "A woodchuck in the tree had made His bed just where the seeds were laid. We wasted half an hour at least In striving to dislodge the beast; Until at length he turned around, Then, quick as thought, without a sound, And ere he had his bearings got, The rogue was half across the lot." Then seed was sown in various styles, In circles, squares, and single files; While here and there, in central parts, They fashioned diamonds, stars, and hearts, Some using rake, some plying hoe, Some making holes where seed should go; While some laid garden tools aside And to the soil their hands applied. To stakes and racks more were assigned, That climbing-vines support might find. Cried one, "Here, side by side, will stand The fairest flowers in the land. The thrifty bees for miles around Ere long will seek this plot of ground, And be surprised to find each morn New blossoms do each bed adorn. And in their own peculiar screed Will bless the hands that sowed the seed." And while that night they labored there, The cunning rogues had taken care With sticks and strings to nicely frame In line the letters of their name. That when came round the proper time For plants to leaf and vines to climb, The Brownies would remembered be, If people there had eyes to see. But morning broke (as break it will Though one's awake or sleeping still), And then the seeds on every side The hurried Brownies scattered wide.

Along the road and through the lane They pattered on the ground like rain, Where Brownies, as away they flew, Both right and left full handfuls threw, And children often halted there To pick the blossoms, sweet and fair, That sprung like daisies from the mead Where fleeing Brownies flung the seed.

THE BROWNIES' CELEBRATION.

One night the Brownies reached a mound That rose above the country round. Said one, as seated on the place He glanced about with thoughtful face: "If almanacs have matters right The Fourth begins at twelve to-night,-- A fitting time for us to fill Yon cannon there and shake the hill, And make the people all about Think war again has broken out. I know where powder may be found Both by the keg and by the pound; Men use it in a tunnel near For blasting purposes, I hear. To get supplies all hands will go, And when we come we'll not be slow To teach the folks the proper way To honor Independence Day."

It was not long till powder came. Then from the muzzle broke the flame, And echo answered to the sound That startled folk for miles around. 'Twas lucky for the Brownies' Band They were not of the mortal brand, Or half the crew would have been hurled In pieces to another world. For when at last the cannon roared, So huge the charge had Brownies poured, The metal of the gun rebelled And threw all ways the load it held. The pieces clipped the daisy-heads And tore the tree-tops into shreds.

But Brownies are not slow to spy A danger, as are you and I.

For they through strange and mystic art Observed it as it flew apart, And ducked and dodged and flattened out, To shun the fragments flung about. Some rogues were lifted from their feet And, turning somersaults complete, Like leaves went twirling through the air But only to receive a scare; And ere the smoke away had cleared In forest shade they disappeared.

THE BROWNIES IN THE SWIMMING-SCHOOL.

While Brownies passed along the street, Commenting on the summer's heat That wrapped the city day and night, A swimming-bath appeared in sight. Said one: "Of all the sights we've found, Since we commenced to ramble round, This seems to better suit the band Than anything, however grand. We'll rest awhile and find our way Inside the place without delay, And those who understand the art, Can knowledge to the rest impart; For every one should able be, To swim, in river, lake, or sea. We never know how soon we may, See some one sinking in dismay,-- And then, to have the power to save A comrade from a watery grave, Will be a blessing sure to give Us joy the longest day we live."

The doors soon opened through the power That lay in Brownie hands that hour. When once within the fun began, As here and there they quickly ran; Some up the stairs made haste to go, Some into dressing-rooms below, In bathing-trunks to reappear And plunge into the water clear; Some from the spring-board leaping fair Would turn a somersault in air; More to the bottom like a stone, Would sink as soon as left alone, While others after trial brief Could float as buoyant as a leaf.

Some all their time to others gave Assisting them to ride the wave, Explaining how to catch the trick, Both how to strike and how to kick; And still keep nose above the tide, That lungs with air might be supplied.

Thus diving in and climbing out, Or splashing round with laugh and shout, The happy band in water played As long as Night her scepter swayed. They heard the clocks in chapel towers Proclaim the swiftly passing hours. But when the sun looked from his bed To tint the eastern sky with red, In haste the frightened Brownies threw Their clothes about them and withdrew.

THE BROWNIES [Illustration] AND THE WHALE.

As Brownies chanced at eve to stray Around a wide but shallow bay, Not far from shore, to their surprise, They saw a whale of monstrous size, That, favored by the wind and tide, Had ventured in from ocean wide, But waves receding by-and-by, Soon left him with a scant supply.

At times, with flaps and lunges strong He worked his way some yards along, Till on a bar or sandy marge He grounded like a leaden barge. "A chance like this for all the band," Cried one, "but seldom comes to hand. I know the bottom of this bay Like those who made the coast survey. 'Tis level as a threshing-floor And shallow now from shore to shore; That creature's back will be as dry As hay beneath a tropic sky, Till morning tide comes full and free And gives him aid to reach the sea." "I catch the hint!" another cried; "Let all make haste to gain his side Then clamber up as best we may, And ride him round till break of day." At once, the band in great delight Went splashing through the water bright, And soon to where he rolled about They lightly swam, or waded out. Now climbing up, the Brownies tried To take position for the ride. Some lying down a hold maintained; More, losing place as soon as gained, Were forced a dozen times to scale The broad side of the stranded whale. Now half-afloat and half-aground The burdened monster circled round, Still groping clumsily about As if to find the channel out, And Brownies clustered close, in fear That darker moments might be near. And soon the dullest in the band Was sharp enough to understand The creature was no longer beached, But deeper water now had reached. For plunging left, or plunging right, Or plowing downward in his might, The fact was plain, as plain could be-- The whale was working out to sea!

A creeping fear will seize the mind As one is leaving shores behind, And knows the bark whereon he sails Is hardly fit to weather gales. Soon Fancy, with a graphic sweep, Portrays the nightmares of the deep; While they can see, with living eye, The terrors of the air sweep by.

For who would not a fierce bird dread, If it came flying at his head? And these were hungry, squawking things, With open beaks and flapping wings. They made the Brownies dodge and dip, Into the sea they feared to slip. The birds they viewed with chattering teeth, Yet dreaded more the foes beneath. The lobster, with his ready claw; The fish with sword, the fish with saw; The hermit-crab, in coral hall, Averse to every social call; The father-lasher, and the shrimp, The cuttle-fish, or ocean imp, All these increase the landsman's fright, As shores are fading out of sight. Such fear soon gained complete command Of every Brownie in the band. They looked behind, where fair and green The grassy banks and woods were seen. They looked ahead, where white and cold The foaming waves of ocean rolled, And then, with woful faces drew Comparisons between the two.

Some blamed themselves for action rash Against all reason still to dash In danger's way, and never think Until they stood on ruin's brink. While others threw the blame on those Who did the risky trip propose. But meantime deep and deeper still The whale was settling down until His back looked like an island small That scarce gave standing-room to all. But, when their chance seemed slight indeed To sport again o'er dewy mead, The spouting whale, with movement strong, Ran crashing through some timbers long That lumbermen had strongly tied In cribs and rafts, an acre wide.

'Twas then, in such a trying hour, The Brownies showed their nerve and power. The diving whale gave little time For them to choose a stick to climb,-- But grips were strong; no hold was lost, However high the logs were tossed; By happy chance the boom remained That to the nearest shore was chained, And o'er that bridge the Brownies made A safe retreat to forest shade.

THE BROWNIES' KITES.

The sun had hardly taken flight Unto the deepest caves of night; Or fowls secured a place of rest Where Reynard's paw could not molest, When Brownies gathered to pursue Their plans regarding pleasures new. Said one: "In spite of hand or string, Now hats fly round like crows in spring, Exposing heads to gusts of air, That ill the slightest draught can bear; While, high above the tallest tower, At morning, noon, and evening hour, The youngsters' kites with streaming tails Are riding out the strongest gales. The doves in steeples hide away Or keep their houses through the day, Mistaking every kite that flies For bird of prey of wondrous size."