No palace and gardens in the Arabian
nights were ever more enchanting, than the glories of nature
through which he led me; nor half so wonderful. "A little
dirt," as it seemed to ordinary eyes, was the hidden entrance
way ofttimes to halls of knowledge more magnificent and more
rich than my fancy had ever dreamed of.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Sandford found a great many officers to talk
to.
It was not till the evening of the next day following my first
walk into the mountains, that I saw Preston. — It was parade
time; and I was sitting as usual on one of the iron settees
which are placed for the convenience of spectators. I was
almost always there at parade and guard-mounting. The picture
had a continual fascination for me, whether under the morning
sun, or the evening sunset; and the music was charming. This
time I was alone, Dr. and Mrs. Sandford being engaged in
conversation with friends at a little distance. Following with
my ear the variations of the air the band were playing, my
mind was at the same time dwelling on the riches it had just
gained in the natural history researches of the day, and also
taking in half consciously the colours of the hills and the
light that spread over the plain; musing, in short, in a kind
of dream of delight; when a grey figure came between me and my
picture.
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