lage, perhaps a half
mile or more from the common on which he was wont to play. The top of it
was crowned with a mammoth rock, which an enthusiastic geologist might
call its crown jewel. Indeed, we are inclined to believe that nearly the
whole hill is composed of granite, from base to top, and were the rocky
eminence near some "Giants' Causeway," we should regard it the work of
these fabled characters, perhaps begun as the first rough stepping stone
to the stars.

The boys were right when they spoke so earnestly of the grand view
presented from the brow of this hill. There was nothing like it in all
the "region round about;" and it is grander still at the present day,
because the cunning hand of art has beautified almost every foot of land
in view, and reared structures of varied form and costliness on every
hand. In the magnificent panorama appear a score of little villages
nestling among the distant trees, while as many larger ones stand forth
in more imposing grandeur, and several cities spread out their wealth of
stores and palaces, and lift their church spires and domes of public
edifices high to the blazing sun. Dame Nature lends enchantment to the
view by the freshness and beauty of her inimitable landscape. Green and
mossy meadow, rich, cultivated upland, luxurious gardens, sweet shady
grottos and cozy dells, orchards, forests, farms, with almost every
variety of natural scenery, enliven the prospect beyond description; and
last, though not least of all, a beautiful river pursues its serpentine
course through dusky everglades and grass-grown valleys, as if an
unearthed mine, fused by subterranean fires, were pouring forth its vast
treasures in a stream of molten silver. The scene is so truly grand that
neither tongue nor pen can do justice to the reality.

Saturday afternoon came as usual, with its freedom from school-hour
quiet and study. Frank was on time, accompanied by his knowing little
dog, "Trip," and Nat was as much on time as he.

"Halloo! Frank," exclaimed Nat; "going to take Trip along with us?"

"Yes! he'll enjoy it as well as we," replied Frank.

"And _I_ shall enjoy it a good deal better to have him with us,"
continued Nat. "Come here Trip, you nice little fellow, and see the
best friend you have." And Trip bounded upon him, giving him as hearty
a "good afternoon" as a dog can, while Nat returned the compliment by
patting him upon his neck, and telling him, as he glanced a curious eye
at Frank