Brute Neighbors
n
Note: The title “Fall Animals” was
inserted in pencil at the top of the leaf containing Brute Neighbors 1, but “Fall”
was erased. (R. Clapper)
n
Note: The title ”Brute Neighbors” appears at the top of the
leaf containing Brute Neighbors 1. (R. Clapper)
But practically I was only half-converted to my own arguments, for I still found
myself fishing at rare intervals. Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes
I had a companion
in
these excursions
my fishing
my fishing.
my fishing.
my fishing.
who came through the village to my house from the other side of the town,
& the getting of dinner was as much a social exercise
as the eating of it
and the catching of the dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it.
and the catching of the dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it.
and the catching of the dinner was as much a social exercise as the eating of it.
Hermit
.
I wonder what the world is doing now.
Have
Have
I Have
I have
not heard so much as a locust over the sweet-fern these three hours.
Pigeons
Pigeons
Pigeons
The pigeons are
The pigeons are
all asleep upon their roosts,— no flutter from them.
Methought I heard a farmer’s noon horn
Methought I heard a farmer’s noon horn
Methought I heard
Did I not hear
Was that a farmer’s noon horn which sounded
Was that a farmer’s noon horn which
sounded
from beyond the woods just now? The hands are coming in to boiled salt beef and cider
and Indian
bread.
Why will men worry
themselves so? He that does not eat need not work.
Wonder
Wonder
I Wonder
I wonder
how much they have reaped. Who would live there where a body can never think for
the barking of
Bose?
And O, the
housekeeping! to keep bright the devil’s door-knobs, and scour his tubs this bright
day! Better not keep
a house. Say, some hollow tree;
and then for morning calls and
dinner-parties!
Only a woodpecker tapping.
Only a woodpecker tapping.
Only a woodpecker tapping.
Only a woodpecker tapping.
O, they swarm; the sun is too warm there; they are born too far into life for me.
I have water
from the spring, and
chestnuts a store
a loaf of brown bread on the
shelf
a loaf of brown bread on the shelf.
a loaf of brown bread on the shelf.
a loaf of brown bread on the shelf.
—Hark! I hear a rustling of the leaves. Is it some ill-fed village hound yielding
to the instinct
of the chase? or the lost pig
that
that
that
which
which
is said to be in these woods, whose tracks I saw after the rain? It comes on apace;
my sumachs and
sweet-briars tremble.—
Ah
Ah
Ah
Eh
Eh,
Mr. Poet, is it you? How
dost thou
dost thou
dost thou
do you
do you
like the world to-day?
Poet
. See those clouds; how they hang! That’s the
greatest thing I have seen to-day. There’s
nor
nothing like it
nothing like it
nothing like it
nothing like it
in old paintings, nothing like it in foreign lands,—
unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean sky.
unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean
sky.
unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean
sky.
unless when we were off the coast of Spain. That’s a true Mediterranean
sky.
I thought, as I have my living to get, and have not eaten to-day, that I
would
might
might
might
might
go a-fishing. That’s the true industry for poets. It is the only trade I have learned.
Come, let’s
along.
Hermit
. I cannot resist. My brown bread
will soon be gone. I will go with you gladly soon, but I am just concluding a serious
meditation. I think that I am near the end of it. Leave me alone, then, for a while.
But that we may not
be delayed, you shall be digging the bait meanwhile. Angle-worms are rarely to be
met with in these
parts, where the soil was never fattened with manure; the race is nearly extinct.
The sport of digging
the bait is nearly equal to that of catching the fish, when one’s appetite is not
too keen; and this you
may have all to yourself to-day. I would advise you to set in the spade down yonder
among the
ground-nuts, where you see the johnswort
waving. I think
that I may warrant you one worm to every three sods you turn up, if you look well
in among the roots of
the grass, as if you were weeding. Or, if you choose to go farther, it will not be
unwise, for I have
found the increase of fair bait to be very nearly as the squares of the distances.
Hermit alone
. Let me see; where was I? Methinks I was nearly in this frame
of mind; the world lay about at this angle. Shall I go to heaven or a-fishing? If
I should soon bring
this meditation to an end, would another so sweet occasion be likely to offer? I was
as near being
resolved into the essence of things as ever I was in my life. I fear my thoughts will
not come back to
me. If it would do any good, I would whistle for them. When they make us an offer,
is it wise to say, We
will think of it? My thoughts have left no track, and I cannot find the path again.
What was it that I
was thinking of? It was a very hazy day. I will just try these three sentences of
Con-fut-see;
they may fetch that state
about again. I know not whether it was the dumps or a budding ecstasy. Mem.
There never is but one opportunity of a kind.
Poet
. How now, Hermit, is it too soon? I have got just
thirteen whole ones, beside several which are imperfect or undersized; but they will
do for the smaller
fry; they do not cover up the hook so much. Those village worms are quite too large;
a shiner
may make a
meal off one without finding the skewer.
Hermit
. Well, then, let’s be off. Shall we to the
Concord? There’s good sport there if the water be not too high.
Why
do precisely these objects which we behold make a world? Why has man just these species
of animals
for instance for his neighbors & no others?
for his neighbors;
for his neighbors;
for his neighbors;
as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice?
as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice?
as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice?
as if nothing but a mouse could have filled this crevice?
They must be very significant though we fail to perceive their significance.
Have not
I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put them
I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put animals
I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put animals
I suspect that Pilpay & Co. have put animals
to their best use, for they are
after all are they not
for they are
for they are
for they are
all beasts of burden, in a sense, made to carry some portion of our thoughts.
The mice which haunted my house were not the common ones, which are said to have been
introduced into the country, but a wild native kind
(
Mus leucopus
) not found in the village. I sent one
to a distinguished naturalist,
and it interested him much.
When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in
the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though
I took
it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods
beyond the
plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were
more cruel
than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared
red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house
When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in
the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though
I took
it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods
beyond the
plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were
more cruel
than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared
red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house
When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in
the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though
I took
it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods
beyond the
plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were
more cruel
than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared
red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house
When ploughing my field in the spring I found a ground bird’s nest directly in
the path of my plow which would have been turned in by the next furrow slice but though
I took
it up carefully with the sod in which it rested and set it in the grass a few rods
beyond the
plowed land, where I had taken out another sod of the same size, yet the parents were
more cruel
than I and when I looked again the young had been deserted and were dead A long-eared
red-bellied field mouse had her nest underneath my house
Though the hunter instinct was thus strong in me, I was generally the friend and
defender of the brute creation as were my neighbors, and I had unusual opportunities
for
observing their habits. Though I took up a ground bird’s nest with young, which was
directly in
the path of my plow and would have been turned in by the next furrow slice, carefully
moving the
sod and setting it in the grass a few rods beyond the plowed land, where I had taken
out another
sod of the same size, the parents were less faithful than I, for when I looked again
the young
had been deserted and were dead. When I was building, a long-eared red-bellied field
mouse
one of these had its nest underneath it
When I was building, one of these had its nest underneath the house,
When I was building, one of these had its nest underneath the house,
When I was building, one of these had its nest underneath the house,
and before I had laid the second floor, and swept out the shavings,
it would
it would
it would
it would
it would
would
would
would
come out regularly
at dinner
lunch time and
at dinner
lunch time and
at dinner
lunch time and
at dinner
lunch time and
at dinner
lunch time and
at lunch time and
at lunch time and
at lunch time and
pick up the crumbs at my
feet when I took my lunch
feet.
feet.
feet.
feet.
feet.
feet.
feet.
It
had probably
probably had
probably had
probably had
probably had
probably had
probably had
probably had
never seen a man before; and it soon became quite familiar,
It would come out regularly at lunch time, and
and would
and would
and would
and would
and would
and would
and would
run over my shoes and up my
clothing, and my legs inside clinging to the flesh
clothes.
clothes.
clothes.
clothes.
clothes.
clothes.
clothes.
It
would run readily up
could readily ascend
could readily ascend
could readily ascend
could readily ascend
could readily ascend
could readily ascend
could readily ascend
the sides of the room by short impulses, like a squirrel, which it
resembled considerably
resembled
resembled
resembled
resembled
resembled
resembled
resembled
in its motions. At length, as I leaned
with
with
with
my elbow on the bench one day, it ran up my clothes, and along my sleeve, and round
and round the
paper which held my dinner, while I kept
It
the latter close dodging and playing
the latter close, and dodged and played
the latter close, and dodged and played
the latter close, and dodged and played
the latter close, and dodged and played
the latter close, and dodged and played
the latter close, and dodged and played
the latter close, and dodged and played
at bopeep
with it; and when at last I held still a piece of cheese between my thumb and finger,
it came and nibbled
it, sitting in my hand, and
then
afterward
afterward
afterward
afterward
afterward
afterward
afterward
cleaned its face and paws, like a fly, and walked away.
A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection
in a pine which grew against the house.
A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against
the
house.
A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against
the
house.
A phoebe soon built in my shed, and a robin for protection in a pine which grew against
the
house.
In June the partridge, (
)
Tetrao umbellus,
Tetrao umbellus,
which is so shy a bird, led her brood past my windows, from the woods in the rear
to the front
of my house, clucking and calling to them like a hen, and in all her behavior proving
herself the hen
of the woods. The young suddenly disperse on your approach, at a signal from the mother,
as if a
whirlwind had swept them
off
off
away
away,
away,
and they so exactly resemble the dried leaves and twigs that many a traveller has
placed his
foot in the midst of a brood, and heard the whir of the old bird as she flew off,
and her anxious
calls and mewing,
and
or
or
or
or
seen her trail her wings to attract his attention, without suspecting their neighborhood.
In such cases The
The
The
The
parent will sometimes roll and spin round before you in such a dishabille, that you
cannot, for
some time
a few moments
a few moments,
a few moments,
a few moments,
detect what kind of creature it is.
They
The young
The young
The young
The young
squat still and flat,
sometimes
often
often
often
often
running their heads under a leaf, and mind only their mother’s directions
which are given
given
given
given
from a distance, nor will your approach make them run again and betray themselves.
You may even tread on them, or have your
eye
eyes
eyes
eyes
on them for a minute, without discovering them.
I have held them in my
open
open
open
open
hand
at such a time,
at such a time,
at such a time,
at such a time,
and still their only care, obedient to their mother and their instinct, was to squat
there
without fear or trembling.
So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid
them on the leaves again, and one accidentally fell on its side, it was found with
the rest
in exactly the same position ten minutes afterward.
So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again,
and one
accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position
ten
minutes afterward.
So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again,
and one
accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position
ten
minutes afterward.
So perfect is this instinct, that once, when I had laid them on the leaves again,
and one
accidentally fell on its side, it was found with the rest in exactly the same position
ten
minutes afterward.
They are not callow like the young of
other
most
most
most
most
birds,
but are more cunning and
but
but
but
more perfectly developed and precocious even than chickens.
The remarkably adult yet innocent expression of their open
and serene eyes
I shall not soon forget
I shall not soon forget
is very memorable
is very memorable.
is very memorable.
All intelligence
and trust seemed reflected in their serene and open eyes. Golconda and California
are shallow and sandy to it
and trust seemed reflected in them
seems reflected in them
seems reflected in them.
seems reflected in them.
It is the wisdom of the sphynx & Sybil a wisdom clarified by experience no
less than the purity of innocence
It is
was the wisdom of the sphynx and Sybil a wisdom clarified by
experience no less than the purity of innocence
They suggest not merely the purity of infancy, but a
wisdom clarified by experience.
They suggest not merely the purity of infancy, but a
wisdom clarified by experience.
Such an eye was not born when the bird was, but is coeval with the sky it reflects.
The woods
do not yield another such a
gem as the eye of a young partridge
gem as the eye of a young partridge
gem as the eye of a young partridge
gem,
such a limpid well does not often refresh the wayfarer
such a limpid well does not often refresh the way-farer
The traveller does not often look into such a limpid well
The traveller does not often look into such a limpid well. Golconde &
California are shallow & sandy to it
The traveller does not often look into such a limpid well.
The ignorant or reckless sportsman often shoots the parent at such a time, and leaves
these
innocents to fall a prey to some prowling beast or bird, or gradually mingle with
the decaying leaves
which they so much resemble. It is said that when hatched by a hen they will directly
disperse on some
alarm, and so are lost, for they never hear the mother's call which gathers them again.
These were my
hens and
chickens. I did not fear the hen-harrier for them; I feared more the men-harriers
from the village for myself
chickens. I did not fear the hen-harrier for them; I feared more the men-harriers
from the village for myself
chickens. When plowing, I discovered a ground bird’s nest with young
directly in the path of my plow, but though I carefully cut out the sod containing
it, and
set it in the grass a rod or two beyond the plowed land, where I had taken out another
sod of
the same size—the parents were less faithful than I for when I looked again the young
had
been deserted and were dead
chickens.
It is remarkable how
much life lives
many creatures live
many creatures live
many creatures live
many creatures live
wild and free though secret in the woods,
known only to the hunter and still sustains itself
sustain themselves
and still sustain themselves
and still sustain themselves
and still sustain themselves
in the neighborhood of towns,
suspected by hunters only.
suspected by hunters only.
suspected by hunters only.
suspected by hunters only.
How retired the otter manages to live here! He grows to be four feet long, as
big as a small boy, perhaps without any human being getting a glimpse of him.
How retired the otter manages to live here! He grows to be four feet long, as big
as a small
boy, perhaps without any human being getting a glimpse of him.
I
have
had formerly seen
have
had formerly seen
have
had formerly seen
have
had formerly seen
had formerly seen
had formerly seen
had formerly seen
formerly saw
formerly saw
the raccoon in the woods behind
where
my
my house stands
where
my
my house stands
where
my
my house stands
where
my
my house stands
where my house was built
where my house was built
where my house was
is built
where my house is built,
and probably still
hear
heard
heard
heard
heard
heard
heard
heard
their whinnering at
night — They are
n
Note: "They are" is overwritten in ink by "castel'd".
occasionally still
from time to time found in the hollow trees in my neighborhood
"castel’d in a hollow tree"
"castel'd in the hollow of an aged tree;"
night.
night.
night.
night.
night.
night.
night.
Commonly I rested commonly
Commonly I rested
Commonly I rested
Commonly I rested
an hour or two in the shade at noon,
while
after
after
after
after
planting, and ate my
luncheon
lunch,
lunch,
lunch,
and read a little by a spring which was the source of a swamp and of a brook,
oozing from under Brister’s Hill,
oozing from under Brister’s Hill,
oozing from under Brister’s Hill,
half a mile from my field. The approach to this was through a succession of
descending grassy hollows,
where pitch pines were springing up densely
full of young pitch pines
full of young pitch-pines,
full of young pitch-pines,
full of young pitch-pines,
into a larger wood about the swamp.
It was a remarkably secluded as well as shaded spot, and though the pines
were very thick,—the peculiarly soft & spreading second growth white pines,—
There in a very secluded & shaded spot, under a spreading white pine
There, in a very secluded and shaded spot, under a spreading white-pine
There, in a very secluded and shaded spot, under a spreading white-pine
There, in a very secluded and shaded spot, under a spreading white-pine
there was yet a clean firm sward to sit on. I had dug out the spring and made a well
of clear
gray water, where I could dip up a pailful without roiling it, and
hither I came
thither I went
thither I went
thither I went
thither I went
for this purpose almost every day in midsummer, when the pond was warmest.
Here
Thither too
Thither too
Thither too
Thither too
the wood-cock
brought
led
led
led
led
her brood, to probe the mud for worms, flying but a foot above them down the bank,
while they
ran in a troop beneath; but at last, spying me, she would leave her young and
circled
circle
circle
circle
circle
circle
circle
circle
circle
round and round me, nearer and nearer, till within four or five feet, pretending
broken wings
and legs, to attract my attention and get off her young, who
had already
had already
had already
had already
had already
would already have
would already have
would already have
would already have
taken up their march, with faint
wiry
wiry
wiry
wiry
wiry
wiry
wiry
peep, single file through the swamp, as she directed.
I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward
I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward
I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward
I frequently heard the peep of the young afterward
At other times
Or I heard the peep of the young
Or I heard the peep of the young
Or I heard the peep of the young
Or I heard the peep of the young
when I could not see the
parent bird. So much lives free, though secret and skulking in the
woods
parent bird.
parent bird.
parent bird.
parent bird.
parent bird.
parent bird.
parent bird.
Here too the pigeons
There too the turtle-doves
There too the turtle-doves
There too the turtle-doves
There too the turtle-doves
There too the turtle-doves
There too the turtle-doves
There too the turtle-doves
sat over the
spring, or fluttered from bough to bough of the
white pine
pines
white pine
pines
white pine
pines
white pine
pines
soft white pines
soft white-pines
soft white-pines
soft white-pines
over my head;
in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life
somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the
rareness
of some of our thoughts
or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar
& inquisitive
in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life
somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the
rareness
of some of our thoughts
or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar
& inquisitive
in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life
somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the
rareness
of some of our thoughts
or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar
& inquisitive
in the heat of the day. There is always a wild and yet a wilder life
somewhere sustaining itself at any moment than we allow for—which corresponds to the
rareness
of some of our thoughts
or the red or grey squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually familiar
& inquisitive
or the red squirrel coursing down the nearest bough was unusually
particularly familiar and inquisitive. You
only need to sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods for
that all its inhabitants to gather around you
may be shown to you by turns
or the red squirrel, coursing down the nearest bough, was particularly familiar and
inquisitive. You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods
that all
its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns.
or the red squirrel, coursing down the nearest bough, was particularly familiar and
inquisitive. You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods
that all
its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns.
or the red squirrel, coursing down the nearest bough, was particularly familiar and
inquisitive. You only need sit still long enough in some attractive spot in the woods
that all
its inhabitants may exhibit themselves to you by turns.
But the scenes and incidents of my summer life were not always of this peaceful
character
But the scenes and incidents of my summer life were not always of this
Sometimes I was witness to events of a less peaceful character
I was witness to events of a less peaceful character.
I was witness to events of a less peaceful character.
I was witness to events of a less peaceful character.
One day when I went out to my wood-pile, or rather my pile of stumps, I observed
two large
ants,
the
one red, the other much larger,
nearly half an inch long,
nearly half an inch long,
nearly half an inch long,
nearly half an inch long,
nearly half an inch long,
and black, fiercely contending with one
another , and rolling over and over on the chips. It was evidently a
struggle for life & death
life & death struggle which had grown out of a
some serious feud
another.
another.
another.
another.
Having once got hold they never
let go of each other
let go,
let go,
let go,
let go,
but struggled and wrestled and rolled on the chips
each retaining his hold with mastiff like pertinacity
incessantly
incessantly.
incessantly.
incessantly.
incessantly.
Looking farther, I
found to my surprise
was surprised to find
was surprised to find
was surprised to find
was surprised to find
was surprised to find
that the chips were covered with such combatants, that it was not a
duellum
, but a
bellum
, a war between two races of ants, the red
always pitted against the black, and frequently two red ones to one black.
They
The legions of these Myrmidons
The legions of these Myrmidons
The legions of these Myrmidons
The legions of these Myrmidons
The legions of these Myrmidons
covered all
the hills and vales in my wood-yard, and the ground was already strewn with the dead
and dying,
and dying,
and dying,
and dying,
and dying,
both red and black. It was the only
war
battle
battle
battle
battle
which I have ever witnessed, the only battle-field I ever trod while the battle was
raging;
internecine war; the red republicans
on the one hand,
on the one hand,
on the one hand,
on the one hand,
and the black imperialists
on the other.
on the other.
on the other.
on the other.
On every side they were engaged in deadly combat, yet without any noise that I could
hear, and
never human soldiers
human soldiers never
human soldiers never
human soldiers never
human soldiers never
fought so resolutely. I watched a couple
in a little sunny valley amid the chips that were fast locked in each other’s
embraces
that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the
chips,
that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the
chips,
that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the
chips,
that were fast locked in each other’s embraces, in a little sunny valley amid the
chips,
now at noon-day prepared to fight till the sun went down,
or life went out.
or life went out.
or life went out.
or life went out.
The smaller red champion had fastened himself like a vice to his adversary’s front,
and through
all the tumblings on that field never for an instant ceased to gnaw at one of his
feelers near the root,
having
already
already
already
already
caused the other to go by the board;
while the stronger black one dashed him from side to side, and, as I saw on looking
nearer, had already divested him of several of his members.
Neither manifested a disposition to retreat from the combat. It was
evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die. They fought like mastiffs or
with more than the pertinacity of bulldogs that will not let go
though all their legs are cut off
They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition
to
retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die.
They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition
to
retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die.
They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition
to
retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die.
They fought with more pertinacity than bull-dogs. Neither manifested the least disposition
to
retreat. It was evident that their battle-cry was Conquer or die.
In the mean while there came
along a single red ant on the
side hill
hill side
hill-side
hill-side
hill-side
hill-side
of this valley, evidently full of excitement, who either had despatched his foe,
or had not yet
taken part in the battle; probably the latter, for he had lost none of his limbs;
whose mother had
charged him to return with his shield
or upon it.
Or perchance he was some Achilles, who
had nourished his wrath apart, and had now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus.
Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had
now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus.
Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had
now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus.
Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had
now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus.
Or perchance he was some Achilles, who had nourished his wrath apart, and had
now come to avenge or rescue his Patroclus.
He saw this unequal combat from afar,—for the blacks were nearly twice the size of
the red,—he
drew near with rapid pace till he stood on his guard within half an inch of the combatants;
then,
watching his opportunity, he sprang upon the black warrior, and commenced his operations
near the root of
his right fore-leg, leaving the foe to select among his own members; and so there
were three united for
life until death—apparently
life,
life,
life,
life,
as if a new kind of attraction had been invented which put all other locks and cements
to shame. I
should not have wondered by this time to find that they had their respective musical
bands stationed on
some eminent chip, and playing their national airs the while, to
excite the slow and
excite the slow and
excite the slow and
excite the slow and
cheer the dying combatants. I was myself excited somewhat even as if they had been
men. The more
you think of it, the less the difference. And certainly there is not the fight recorded
in Concord
history if in the history of the world
history, at least, if in the history of America,
history, at least, if in the history of America,
history, at least, if in the history of America,
history, at least, if in the history of America,
that will bear a moment’s comparison with this, whether for the numbers engaged in
it, or
the heroism & patriotism & heroism
for the patriotism and heroism
for the patriotism and heroism
for the patriotism and heroism
for the patriotism and heroism
displayed. For numbers and for carnage it was an Austerlitz or Dresden.
Concord Fight! Two killed on
the patriots’ side, and Luther Blanchard wounded! Why here every ant was a Buttrick,—"Fire!
for God’s
sake fire!"—and thousands shared the fate of Davis and Hosmer.
There was not one hireling there.
There was not one hireling there.
There was not one hireling there.
There was not one hireling there.
I have no doubt that it was a principle they fought for, as much as our ancestors,
and
not
to avoid
to avoid
to avoid
to avoid
to avoid
a three-penny tax
on their
tea—or whatever greater xxxxxxxxxx this may
xxxxxxxxxx
And undoubtedly
tea; and
tea; and
tea; and
tea; and
the results of this battle will be as important and memorable to those whom it concerns
as those
of the battle of Bunker Hill,
at least.
at least.
at least.
at least.
I took up the chip
on which the three I have particularly described were struggling, carried it into
my house, and placed it
under a tumbler on my window-sill,
wishing
in order
in order
in order
in order
to see the issue. Holding a microscope to the first-mentioned red ant, I saw that,
though he was
assiduously gnawing at the near fore-leg of his enemy, having severed his remaining
feeler, his own
breast was all torn away, exposing what vitals he had there to the jaws of the black
warrior,
whose own
whose
whose
whose
whose
breast-plate was apparently too thick for him to pierce; and the dark carbuncles
of
his
the sufferer’s
the sufferer’s
the sufferer’s
the sufferer’s
the sufferer’s
eyes shone with ferocity such as war only could excite. They
struggled for
struggled
struggled
struggled
struggled
half an hour longer under the tumbler, and when I looked again the black soldier
had severed the
heads of his foes from their bodies, and the still living heads were hanging on either
side of him like
ghastly trophies
or ornaments
pendants
at his saddle-bow,
at his saddle-bow,
at his saddle-bow,
at his saddle-bow,
still apparently as
firmly fastened as ever, and he was endeavoring with feeble struggles, being without
feelers and with
only the
remnants of legs
remnant of a leg
remnant of a leg,
remnant of a leg,
remnant of a leg,
remnant of a leg,
and I know not how many other wounds, to divest himself of them; which at length,
after half an
hour more, he accomplished. I raised the
tumbler
glass
glass,
glass,
glass,
glass,
and he went off over the window-sill in that crippled state. Whether he finally survived
that
combat,
and had a pension settled on him or spent the remainder of his days in some
Hôtel des Invalides
and had a pension settled on him, or spent the remainder of his days in
some Hôtel des Invalides,
and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides,
and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides,
and spent the remainder of his days in some Hotel des Invalides,
I do not know; but I thought that his industry would not be worth much thereafter.
Which party was victorious I never learned, nor indeed could it be of much
importance to mankind
which party was victorious I never learned
I never learned which party was victorious,
I never learned which party was victorious,
I never learned which party was victorious,
nor the cause of the war; but I felt for the rest of that day as if I had had my
feelings excited
and harrowed by witnessing the struggle, the ferocity and carnage, of a human battle
before my door.
Kirby and
Spence
tell us
Since making this record I learn from Kirby & Spence
Since making this record I learn from Kirby and Spence
Kirby and Spence tell us
Kirby and Spence tell us
Kirby and Spence tell us
Kirby and Spence tell us
that the battles of
the ants
ants
ants
ants
ants
have long been celebrated and the date of them recorded, though
they state that “Huber is the only modern author that appears to have been witness
to
these combats”
they state that “Huber is the only modern author that appears to have been
witness to these combats”
it is said
they say Huber is
appears to have been
is the only modern author who has witnessed
them
they say that Huber is the only modern author who
appears to have witnessed them.
they say that Huber is the only modern author who
appears to have witnessed them.
they say that Huber is the only modern author who
appears to have witnessed them.
“Æneas Sylvius,”
say they, “after giving a very circumstantial account of one contested with great
obstinacy by a great and small species on the trunk of a pear tree,”
states that
adds
adds that
adds that
adds that
adds that
“‘This action was fought in the pontificate of Eugenius the Fourth,
in the presence of Nicholas Pistoriensis, an
eminent lawyer, who related the whole history of the battle with the greatest fidelity.’
A similar
engagement between great and small ants is recorded by Olaus Magnus,
in which the small ones, being victorious, are
said to have buried the bodies of their own soldiers, but left those of their giant
enemies a prey to the
birds. This event happened previous to the expulsion of the tyrant Christiern the
Second
from Sweden.”
The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years
before the passage of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill. The battle which I witnessed took
place in the Presidency of James K. Polk,
or to refer it to a memorable but infamous
event
five years
before the passage of the
Webster’s Fugitive Slave Bill
The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage
of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill.
The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage
of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill.
The battle which I witnessed took place in the Presidency of Polk, five years before the passage
of Webster’s Fugitive-Slave Bill.
In summer days indeed many a village bose whose
master did not know that he was out
Many a village bose whose master did not know that he was out
Many a village Bose,
fit only to course
a mud-turtle in
a victualling cellar, sported his heavy quarters in the woods,
without the knowledge of his master,
without the knowledge of his master,
and ineffectually smelled at old fox burrows and woodchucks’ h oles; led perchance
by some
slight cur which nimbly threaded the wood, and might still inspire a natural terror
in its denizens;
—now far behind his guide, barking like a
bull of Bashan
canine bull of Bashan
canine bull
toward some small squirrel
that
that
which
had treed itself for scrutiny, then,
now
now
then
then
cantering off, bending the bushes with his weight, imagining that he is on the track
of some
stray member of the
jerbilla
jerbilla
gerbille
family.
Once also in the summer
Once
Once
I was surprised to see a cat walking along the stony shore of
Walden
the pond
the pond
the pond
for they rarely wander so far from home. The surprise was mutual. Nevertheless the
most
domestic cat, which has lain on a rug all her days, appears quite at home in the woods,
and, by her
sly and stealthy behavior, proves herself more native there than the regular inhabitants.
Once, when
berrying, I met with a cat with young kittens in the woods, quite wild, and they all,
like their
mother, had their backs up and were fiercely spitting at me.
r
Revision note: F1:
At the time
June 1842 A few years before I lived at the pond
In June 1842, or a few years before I lived at the pond
in the woods
A few years before I lived in the woods
A few years before I lived in the woods
there was what was called a “winged cat”
in one of the farm-houses in Lincoln
r
Revision note: F1:
Mr. Gilian Baker’s
nearest the pond Mr. Gilian Baker’s
nearest the pond, Mr. Gilian Baker’s.
nearest the pond, Mr. Gilian Baker’s.
r
Revision note: F1:
Her mistress told me that she came to them from the woods, and that every
fall the fur grew thick & matted somewhat like felt along her sides, projecting an
inch or more, and that this was shed in the spring. I have still a fan of her wings
in my
possession
When I called to see her she was gone a hunting in the woods as she was
accustomed to do (I do not know whether it was a male or female & so will use the
more common pronoun), but her mistress told me that the cat
she had come into the neighborhood something more than a year
before, in April; that in the winter the fur grew thick & flatted out on her sides,
forming strips 10 or 12 inches long by 2½ wide—the upper side loose, the under matted
like
felt Her tail was large and bushy like that of a fox & these appendages
dropt off in the spring. They gave me a pair of her “wings” which I have still. There
is no
appearance of a membrane.
When I called to see her, in June 1842, she was gone a hunting in the woods as
was her wont; (I am not sure whether it was a male or female, and so will use the
more common pronoun) but her mistress told me that she had come
came into the neighborhood a little more than a year before in
April, and was finally taken into their house; that she was of a dark brownish grey
color—with a
white spot on her throat & white feet & had a large bushy tail like a
fox; that in the winter the fur grew thick & flatted out along her sides
forming strips 10 or 12 inches long by 2½ wide, and under her chin like a muff, the
upper side
loose, the under matted like felt, and that in the spring these appendages dropt off.
They gave me a pair of her wings which I keep still. There is no appearance of a membrane
about
them
When I called to see her in June, 1842, she was gone a-hunting in the woods, as was
her wont,
(I am not sure whether it was a male or female, and so use the more common pronoun,) but her mistress told me
that she came into the neighborhood a little more than a year before, in April, and
was finally
taken into their house; that she was of a dark brownish-gray color, with a white spot
on her
throat, and white feet, and had a large bushy tail like a fox; that in the winter
the fur grew
thick and flatted out along her sides, forming stripes ten or twelve inches long by
two and a
half wide, and under her chin like a muff, the upper side loose, the under matted
like felt, and
in the spring these appendages dropped off. They gave me a pair of her “wings,” which
I keep
still. There is no appearance of a membrane about them.
When I called to see her in June, 1842, she was gone a-hunting in the woods, as was
her wont,
(I am not sure whether it was a male or female, and so use the more common pronoun,) but her mistress told me
that she came into the neighborhood a little more than a year before, in April, and
was finally
taken into their house; that she was of a dark brownish-gray color, with a white spot
on her
throat, and white feet, and had a large bushy tail like a fox; that in the winter
the fur grew
thick and flatted out along her sides, forming stripes ten or twelve inches long by
two and a
half wide, and under her chin like a muff, the upper side loose, the under matted
like felt, and
in the spring these appendages dropped off. They gave me a pair of her “wings,” which
I keep
still. There is no appearance of a membrane about them.
Some thought it was part flying-squirrel or some other wild animal, which is not
impossible, for, according to naturalists, prolific hybrids have been produced by
the union of the
marten and domestic cat. This would have been the right kind of cat for me to keep,
if I had kept any;
for
perchance a poet’s cat should
why should not a poet’s cat
why should not a poet’s cat
why should not a poet’s cat
be winged as well as his horse?
In the fall the loon
(Colymbus glacialis)
(Colymbus glacialis)
(Colymbus glacialis)
came, as usual, to moult and
bathe himself
bathe himself
bathe himself
bathe himself
bathe himself
bathe
bathe
bathe
in the pond, making the woods ring with his wild laughter before I had
risen. I never
rarely saw but one at a time here however
risen.
risen.
risen.
risen.
risen.
risen.
risen.
At rumor of
whose arrival all Concord
whose arrival all Concord
whose arrival all Concord
whose arrival all Concord
whose
his arrival all Concord
the Milldam
his arrival all the Mill-dam
his arrival all the Mill-dam
his arrival all the Mill-dam
sportsmen are on the
alert, in gigs
and on foot,
two by two and three by three, with patent
rifles & patches
rifles
rifles
rifles
rifles
rifles
rifles
rifles
and conical balls and
spy-glasses or pin-hole on barrell that the charge may travel as straight as
a loon’s leg
spy-glasses.
spy-glasses.
spy-glasses.
spy-glasses.
spy-glasses.
spy-glasses.
spy-glasses.
They come rustling through the woods like
October
October
October
October
October
autumn
autumn
autumn
autumn
leaves, at least
10 to one seeming already to hear the loon laugh
that is, ten men to one loon , or ten loons to
one
ten men to one loon.
ten men to one loon.
ten men to one loon.
ten men to one loon.
ten men to one loon.
ten men to one loon.
ten men to one loon.
Some station themselves on this side of the pond, some on that, for the poor
loon
loon
loon
loon
loon
bird
bird
bird
bird
cannot be omnipresent; if he dive here he must come up there. But now the kind October
wind
rises, rustling the leaves and rippling the surface
of the water,
of the water,
of the water,
of the water,
of the water,
of the water,
of the water,
of the water,
so that no loon can be
seen or heard or seen
heard or seen,
heard or seen,
heard or seen,
heard or seen,
heard or seen,
heard or seen,
heard or seen,
though
our sportsmen
our sportsmen
our sportsmen
our sportsmen
our sportsmen
his foes
his foes
his foes
his foes
sweep the pond with spy-glasses, and make the woods
ring
resound
resound
resound
resound
resound
resound
resound
resound
with their discharges. The waves generously rise and dash angrily, taking sides with
all
water-fowl,
But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when
the loon went off in that
the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our
sportsmen must beat a retreat
But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when
the loon went off in that
the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our
sportsmen must beat a retreat
But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when
the loon went off in that
the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our
sportsmen must beat a retreat
But no thanks to the rising wind this time—for the dweller by the pond heard when
the loon went off in that
the morning rain with one loud long hearty laugh. So our
sportsmen must beat a retreat
But no thanks to the rising wind this time, for the dweller by the pond heard
when the loon went off in the morning rain, with one loud long hearty laugh. So
and our sportsmen must beat a retreat
and our sportsmen must beat a retreat
and our sportsmen must beat a retreat
and our sportsmen must beat a retreat
to town and shop and unfinished
jobs again. However
But
jobs. But
jobs. But
jobs. But
they were too often successful. When I went to get a pail of water early in the morning
I
frequently saw this stately bird sailing out of my cove within a few rods. If I endeavored
to overtake
him in a
boat which I frequently did
boat,
boat,
boat,
in order to see how he would manœuvre, he would dive and be completely lost, so that
I did not
discover him again, sometimes, till the latter part of the
day. He could avoid me not only as a bird by flying, though they are
unwilling to rise at this season
if that were necessary but as a fish by swimming under water
day.
day.
day.
But I was more than a match for him on the surface.
He commonly went off in a rain. He commonly went off
in a storm
rain
He commonly went off in a rain.
He commonly went off in a rain.
He commonly went off in a rain.
As I was paddling along the north shore one
r
Revision note: E1:
calm
very calm
very calm
very calm
very calm
October afternoon,
r
Revision note: E1:
for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like the milkweed
down, for then
such days especially like the milkweed down they settle down on to the lakes being
unable to fly
for such days especially, like the milkweed down, they settle down on to
the lakes
for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like milkweed down,
for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like milkweed down,
for such days especially they settle on to the lakes, like milkweed down,
r
Revision note: E1: after having
after having
having
having
having
looked in vain over the pond for a loon, suddenly one, sailing out from the shore
toward the
middle a few rods in front of me, set up his wild laugh and betrayed himself. I pursued
with a paddle and
he dived, but when he came up I was nearer than before. He dived again, but I miscalculated
the direction
he would take,
and we were fifty rods apart when he came to the surface this time, for I
had helped to widen the interval; and again he laughed long and loud, and
this time with more reason than before. He manoeuvred very
cunningly and
with more reason than before. He manœuvred so cunningly that
with more reason than before. He manœuvred so cunningly that
with more reason than before. He manœuvred so cunningly that
I could not get within half a dozen rods of him. Each time, when he came
up
to the surface
to the surface,
to the surface,
to the surface,
turning his head this way and that, he cooly surveyed the water and the land, and
apparently chose
his course so that he might come up where there was the
greatest
widest
widest
widest
widest
expanse of water and at the greatest distance from the boat.
He was quick to resolve and rapid to execute
It was surprising how quickly he made up his mind and put his resolve into execution.
It was surprising how quickly he made up his mind and put his resolve into execution.
It was surprising how quickly he made up his mind and put his resolve into execution.
He led me at once to the widest part of the pond, and could not be driven from it.
While he was
thinking one thing in his brain, I was endeavoring to divine his thought in mine.
It was a pretty game,
played on the smooth surface of the pond, a man against a loon. Suddenly your adversary’s
checker
disappears beneath the board, and the problem
is so to divine his thought as
is
is
is
to place yours nearest to where his will
come up
appear again
appear again.
appear again.
appear again.
Sometimes
my adversary
he
he
he
he
would come up unexpectedly on the opposite side of me, having apparently passed directly
under the
boat. So long-winded was he and so unweariable, that
when he had swum farthest
when he had swum farthest
when he had swum farthest
he would immediately plunge again,
nevertheless;
nevertheless;
nevertheless;
and then no wit could divine where in the deep pond, beneath the smooth surface,
he might be
speeding his way like a fish,
perchance passing under the boat
for
for
for
he had time and ability to visit the bottom of the pond in its deepest part.
I have read a fisherman caught a loon
loons have been caught in Seneca Lake
in New York
It is said that loons have been caught in the New York lakes
It is said that loons have been caught in the New York lakes
It is said that loons have been caught in the New York lakes
eighty feet beneath the surface, with
a hook
hooks
hooks
hooks
hooks
set for trout,—though Walden is deeper than that.
How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another
sphere speeding his way amid their schools!
How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere
speeding his
way amid their schools!
How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere
speeding his
way amid their schools!
How surprised must the fishes be to see this ungainly visitor from another sphere
speeding his
way amid their schools!
Yet he appeared to know his course as surely under water as on the surface, and swam
much faster
there than on the surface
there.
there.
there.
r
Revision note: E1: It was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his reappearing as to endeavor
to
calculate where he would come up
rise. When I was straining my eyes over the surface one
way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh behind me. But why after
displaying so much cunning did he invariably betray himself the moment he came to the
surface
up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He
was indeed a silly loon I thought. After an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived
as willingly,
and swam yet further than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached
the surface,
just put his head out to reconnoitre & instantly dived again. I could commonly hear
the
splash of the water when he came up & so also detected him
Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head
out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again.
I found that It was as well for me to rest on my oars and wait his
reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise, for When I was straining my
eyes over the surface, one way, I would suddenly be startled by his unearthly laugh
behind me. But
why after displaying so much cunning did he invariably betray himself the moment he
came up with
that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was indeed a silly
loon, I thought.
I could commonly hear the plash of the water when he came up and so also detected
him.
But After an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly, and
swam yet further than at first. Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface,
just put his head out to reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I could commonly
hear the
splash of the water when he came up and so also detected him
Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out
to
reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that it was as well for me to rest
on my oars and
wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise; for again and
again, when I
was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his
unearthly laugh
behind me. But why, after displaying so much cunning, did he invariably betray himself
the moment
he came up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was
indeed a silly
loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up, and
so also
detected him. But after an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly and
swam yet farther
than at first.
Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out
to
reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that it was as well for me to rest
on my oars and
wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise; for again and
again, when I
was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his
unearthly laugh
behind me. But why, after displaying so much cunning, did he invariably betray himself
the moment
he came up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was
indeed a silly
loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up, and
so also
detected him. But after an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly and
swam yet farther
than at first.
Once or twice I saw a ripple where he approached the surface, just put his head out
to
reconnoitre, and instantly dived again. I found that it was as well for me to rest
on my oars and
wait his reappearing as to endeavor to calculate where he would rise; for again and
again, when I
was straining my eyes over the surface one way, I would suddenly be startled by his
unearthly laugh
behind me. But why, after displaying so much cunning, did he invariably betray himself
the moment
he came up by that loud laugh? Did not his white breast enough betray him? He was
indeed a silly
loon, I thought. I could commonly hear the splash of the water when he came up, and
so also
detected him. But after an hour he seemed as fresh as ever, dived as willingly and
swam yet farther
than at first.
It was surprising to see how serenely he sailed off with unruffled breast when he
came to the
r
Revision note: E1: surface as if on a pleasure excursion
surface as if on a pleasure excursion
surface,
surface,
surface,
doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath.
doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath.
doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath.
doing all the work with his webbed feet beneath.
His
usual note was commonly a
this
usual note was this
usual note was this
usual note was this
demoniac laughter, yet somewhat like that of a water-fowl; but occasionally, when
he had balked me
most successfully and come up a long way off, he uttered a long-drawn unearthly howl,
probably more like
that of a wolf than any
bird beside
bird;
bird;
bird;
as when a beast puts his muzzle to the ground and deliberately howls. This was his
looning,—perhaps the wildest sound
r
Revision note: E1: I ever heard
I
that is ever heard here
that is ever heard here,
that is ever heard here,
that is ever heard here,
making the woods ring
far and wide.
far and wide.
far and wide.
far and wide.
I concluded that he laughed in derision of my efforts, confident of his own resources.
Though the
sky was
by this time
by this time
by this time
by this time
overcast, the pond was so smooth that I could see where he broke the surface
if
when
when
when
I did not hear him. His white breast, the stillness of the air, and the smoothness
of the water
were all against him. At length, having come up fifty rods off, he uttered one of
those prolonged
unearthly howls
howls,
howls,
howls,
as if calling on the god of loons to aid him, and immediately there came a wind from
the east and
rippled the surface, and filled the whole air with misty rain, and I was impressed
as if it were the
prayer of the loon answered, and his god was angry with me; and so I left him disappearing
far away on
the tumultuous surface.
For hours, in fall days, I watched the ducks cunningly tack and veer and hold the
middle of the pond, far from the sportsman; tricks which they will have
less
less
less
less
need to practise in Louisiana bayous. When compelled to rise they would sometimes
circle round and
round and over the pond at a considerable height, from which they could easily see
to other ponds and the
river, like black motes in the sky; and, when I thought they had gone off thither
long since, they would
settle down by a slanting flight of a quarter of a mile on to a distant part which
was left free; but
what beside safety they got by sailing in the middle of Walden I do not know, unless
they love its water
for the same reason that I do.
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