are, and reporting them as they are.

A steady rain had set in early in the afternoon, effectually
drowning my hopes of a longer wood-land walk that day, but I
was then, and many a time since then have been, well content
that it was so. I learned less of woodland lore, but more of
the woodland philosopher.

In quiet converse passed the hours of that memorable day in
the humble retreat on the wooded hills,--

"Far from the clank of the world,"--

and in the company of the poet-naturalist. So cordial had my host
been, so gracious the admission to his home and hospitality, that I
left the little refuge with a feeling of enrichment I shall cherish
while life lasts. I had sought out a favorite author; I had gained
a friend.



AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES


[In response to my request, Mr. Burroughs began in 1903 to write
for me a series of letters, autobiographical in character. It
is from them, for the most part, helped out by interviews to
fill in the gaps, that I have compiled this part of the book.
The letters were not written continuously; begun in 1903, they
suffered a long interruption, were resumed in 1906, again in 1907,