e of
purple hills seemed to melt and mingle with cloudland, so that the eye
was carried, as it were, by imperceptible gradations from the rugged
earth up into the soft blue sky; indeed, it was difficult to distinguish
where the former ended and the latter began. The lakes and ponds were
gay with yellow water-lilies, and the air was musical with the sweet
cries of wildfowl; while the noon-tide sun bathed the whole in a golden
glory.

The effect of such a sight on our wanderers was at first too powerful
for words, and when words did burst forth they served to show how
wonderfully diverse are the spirits of men. Captain Trench, as we have
seen, was moved by this vision of beauty to shout, almost to dance, with
delight, while in thought he bounded over the length and breadth of the
new land, taking bearings, and making notes and charts with the view of
extending the geographical knowledge of mankind! His son Oliver, on the
other hand, allowed his imagination to revel freely through the forests
and over the hills and across lakes and savannahs in powerful sympathy
with the aspirations which must have animated Nimrod; while to Paul
Burns, whose temperament was sedate and earnest, as well as cheerful and
hearty, the glorious vision at once suggested thoughts of that tranquil
home in which man's lot was originally cast by the loving heart of God.

"Now it is quite plain," said Trench, as they slowly descended into this
beautiful scene, "that this land is no collection of small islands, as
we have been led to suppose, but a great land full of all that is
needful to make it the happy abode of man."

"Just so, daddy!" exclaimed the enthusiastic Oliver, "and _we_ have been
sent to explore it and carry home the news--perhaps to bring out the
first settlers and show them the way!"

"Why, Olly, you carry too much sail for so small a craft; you look out
rather too far ahead. And what mean ye by saying we are sent? Nobody
sent us on this journey that I know of, unless you mean that Swinton--
the big scoundrel!--sent us."

"Whatever Olly meant by the expression," interposed Paul, "I think he is
right; for all men are sent by the Almighty, no matter where they go."

"What! d'ye mean that men are sent by the Almighty whether they go to do
good or evil?"

"Ay, Master Trench, that is what I mean; they _are_ sent by Him, though
not sent to _do evil_. Look here, don't you admit that God created all
men and _sent_ them into this w