faltering reason's aid; the beast turned complacently into the right
hand path, and moving briskly on, jingled his bells more cheerily than
before, as if he already saw the open stable door, and snuffed his
evening meal. Their path bending westward, they now saw clouds
mustering on the heights before them, and one of April's sudden
showers drawing near.

Within less then a mile, they came upon a hedge of American aloes,
which, with their close array of massive leaves, each ending in a
sharp point, protected an orchard. Following its course a few rods,
they came to a rude gateway, which admitted them into a small
cattle-yard, and a low, unpretending farm-house stood before them.




CHAPTER XII.


First, for thy bees a quiet station find,
And lodge them under covert from the wind;
For winds, when homeward they return, will drive
The loaded carriers from their evening hive;
Far from the cows' and goats' insulting crew,
That trample down the flowers and brush the dew,
The painted lizard and the bird of prey,
Foes to the frugal kind, be far away--
The titmouse and the pecker's hungry brood,
And Procne with her bosom stained with blood:
These rob the trading citizens, and bear