"They ate their beans and sang a song, Co"day, co"day, co"nanny, co"nan.
And wished the night was not so long, Co"day, co"day, co"nanny, co"nan.
"Said Ad, "What makes that whining noise?"
"By jinks!" cried Tom, "That"s Tyro, boys!"
But when he looked, without a care, In crawled a little beezling bear!"
There is a great deal more, not less than twenty stanzas; but a few will suffice. Besides, too, I shrink from presenting the more faulty ones. To strangers they will be merely the immature efforts of nameless young folks; but for me a halo of memories glorifies each halting versicle.
The one where the tree fell runs as follows. It was Addison"s; and in his now distant home, he will anathematize me for exposing his youthful bad grammar.
"But the night grew wild and wilder still, Co"day, co"day, co"nanny, co"nan.
The forest roared like an old grist-mill, Co"day, co"day, co"nanny, co"nan.
"At last there came a fearful crack!
A big pine tree had broke its back.
Down it fell, with a frightful smack!
And missed the camp by just a snack!"
Theodora alone made a stanza or two more in keeping with that finer sentiment which the occasion might have inspired in us.
"And we who sat and watched at home, Co"day, co"day, co"nanny, co"nan; And wondered why they did not come, Co"day, co"day, co"nanny, co"nan.
What dread was ours through that long night, That they had perished was our fear, Scarce could we check the anxious tear, Nor slept at all till morning light.
"But safe from storm and falling tree, Co"day, co"day, co"nanny, co"nan.
Their faces dear again we see, Co"day, co"day co"nanny, co"nan.
They slept mid perils all unseen, Some Guardian Hand protecting well; E"en though the mighty tree trunks fell, The little camp stood safe between."
After dinner, Mr. Edwards with Asa Doane went after the sheep, and by tramping a path in advance of the flock, drove them home to the barns.
Next day Asa and Halse took a bushel basket, with a bran sack to tie over it, and went to Adger"s camp, to liberate and fetch home the little "beezling bear," but found that bruin junior had upset the barrel and made his escape.
THE END OF BOOK FIRST.