THE RETURN HOME.
A few days after this conversation, a large fox came, in the evening,
into Mr. Harvey's barn yard; but as a dog belonging to one of the
farmers was near, he was driven off before he could catch any of the
chickens. The boys heard the noise, and ran down. They saw the fox
running very fast away, while the dog, which could not follow through
the hole under the fence, had gone round the barn, to get into the
field. Samuel and his cousins chased the fox as far as they could see
it, and then returned to the barn yard to hunt for more. But none could
be found, and they walked up to the house.
[Illustration: THE FOX.]
At last the month of August rolled around, and the holidays drew toward
a close. I have told you only about a few things that Samuel saw in his
walks around the country with his cousins; but you perceive that he
enjoyed himself very much. He also learned a great deal. I hope,
children, that you have also learned something by reading this book.
Samuel tried to remember all that his uncle and cousins told him, and
often thought of it when he was by himself. It would be well if you
would do the same. Have you a little brother, or sister? See if you can
tell it what Mr. Harvey told Samuel about bats, locusts, rivers, the
rain, and sloths. You may also tell the story of Alice Gray, and old
Jack the Soldier.
You remember that Samuel was to go home at the end of August. Thomas and
John looked very sorrowful as the time drew near; for they loved their
cousin very much, and wished that he could stay with them altogether. On
the last evening, Mr. Harvey took all the boys to a branch of the river
about seven miles off, to enjoy a sail in a boat, on the water. It was a
beautiful moonlight evening, and they rode to the place in a carriage.
Samuel thought that the sight of the water, sparkling in the moon-beams,
and stretching away so wide and still, with the dark bushes on each
side, was the finest thing he had yet seen. When they were in the middle
of the stream, and gliding slowly down it, Mr. Harvey and his sons
joined in singing some simple song; and as they had brought plenty of
food with them, they staid on the water until midnight.
Next morning, Samuel started for town, at nine o'clock. He had received
many beautiful and useful things from his cousins, and as he pressed
their hands, and again and again, bade them good bye, he felt how much
he would miss their company when he would be in the city. But they
promised to write to each other, and as often as they could, send
presents from one to another. Then the horses trotted rapidly down the
road, and Mr. Harvey, with his boys, returned to the house.
[Illustration]