ranged through other fields, until they came to a pleasant little piece
of woods, where they stopped to look at the old hollow oak, in which all
four could just crowd in. Here they stopped to rest a little, and to
watch the labors of a a pretty bird building its nest on the branch of a
neighboring tree.

Then they wandered down in a meadow to get a drink of water from a fine
spring near the foot of a huge old tree, and having refreshed
themselves, turned their steps homewards. On their way, the cousins
showed Edward a shining little brook of clear water, which ran murmuring
through their farm, and pointed out a great many objects which were
quite new to him. It was a pleasant and joyful ramble to them all; but
Edward was well tired when they reached home.

[Illustration: The Ferry.]

The next day Edward and his parents started for home. He was sorry to
leave his cousins, but he began to wish to see his brothers and sisters
once more. It was a pleasant morning, and Mr. Jones decided to take a
different route from the one they had traveled before. Edward was
delighted with the fine scenery which this new route opened to his view.
In the afternoon they came to the river side, where there was a ferry. A
large boat was there, for the horses and carriage, and a small one in
which Edward and his parents seated themselves and were soon rowed
across; The sun had not yet set, but threw a bright yellow light on the
water, that made it look like gold. Edward did not wonder that the geese
and ducks were so fond of swimming about on it, and he felt sorry when
they reached the opposite shore, and his pleasant sail was over. Then he
and his mother sat down on the green bank to look at the beautiful sight
before them, while the horses and carriages were coming across. There