ncy with which you utter them, it is likely that you will rush
into print long before I timidly venture, with characteristic modesty,
even to grasp the pen!"

As Tom ceased speaking they came upon a forest of pine, or fir trees, in
the midst of which towered a tree of such gigantic height, that its
appearance caused them simultaneously to draw up, and gaze at it in
silent wonder.

"Can it be possible," said Ned, "that our eyes don't deceive us! Surely
some peculiarity in the atmosphere gives that tree false proportions?"

Without answering, Tom galloped towards the tree in question, closely
followed by his friend.

Instead of any delusive haze being cleared away, however, the tree grew
larger as they approached, and when they halted about twenty yards from
it, they felt that they were indeed in the presence of the monarch of
the forest. The tree, which they measured, after viewing it in
wondering admiration from all points of view, was ninety-three feet in
circumference, and it could not have been less than three hundred and
sixty feet high. They little knew that, many years afterwards, the bark
of this giant tree, to the height of a hundred and sixteen feet, was to
be removed to England, built up in its original form, and exhibited in
the great Crystal Palace of Sydenham; yet so it was, and part of the
"mother of the forest" may be seen there at this day.

Towards evening the travellers drew near to the head of the valley.

"We must be approaching a waterfall of no ordinary size," remarked Tom,
as they rode through the dark shades of the forest, which were pretty
extensive there.

"I have heard its roar for some time," answered Ned, "but until we clear
this belt of trees we shan't see it."

Just then the roar of the fall burst upon them with such deafening
violence, that they involuntarily started. It seemed as if a mighty
torrent had burst its bounds and was about to sweep them away, along
with the forest through which they rode. Pressing forward in eager
haste, they soon found that their having doubled round a huge mountain
barrier, which the trees had hitherto concealed from them, was the cause
of the sudden increase in the roar of the fall, but they were still
unable to see it, owing to the dense foliage that overshadowed them. As
they galloped on, the thunder of falling waters became more deep and
intense, until they reached an elevated spot, comparatively free from
trees, which overlooked the valle