From evil snag or stubborn tree
That split toboggans like a quill,
And scattered riders down the hill.

[Illustration]

With pitch and toss and plunge they flew,--
Some skimmed the drifts, some tunneled through;
Then out across the frozen plain
At dizzy speed they shot amain,

[Illustration]

Through splintered rails and flying gates
Of half a dozen large estates;
Until it seemed that ocean wide
Alone could check the fearful ride.
Some, growing dizzy with the speed,
At times a friendly hand would need
To help them keep their proper grip
Through all the dangers of the trip.

And thus until the stars had waned,
The sport of coasting was maintained.
Then, while they sought with lively race
In deeper woods a hiding-place,
"How strange," said one, "we never tried
Till now the wild toboggan ride!

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

But since we've proved the pleasure fine
That's found upon the steep incline,
We'll often muster on the height,
And make the most of every night,
Until the rains of spring descend
And bring such pleasures to an end."
Another answered frank and free:
"In all such musters count on me;
For though my back is badly strained,
My elbow-joint and ankle sprained,
I'll be the first upon the ground
As long as patch of snow is found,
And bravely do my part to steer
Toboggans on their wild career."

So every evening, foul or fair,
The jovial Brownies gathered there,
Till with the days of
Spring, at last,
Came drenching shower and melting blast,
Which sent the mountain's ice and snow
To fill the rivers miles below.

[Illustration]

THE BROWNIES' BALLOON.

[Illustration]

WHILE rambling through the forest shade,
A sudden halt some Brownies made;
For spread about on bush and ground
An old balloon at rest they found,
That while upon some flying trip
Had given aeronauts the slip.
And, falling here in foliage green,
Through all the summer lay unseen.
The Brownies gathered fast to stare