Ishmael in Tanglewood

Into a forest far, they thence him led
Where stood the mansion in a pleasant glade,
With great hills round about environèd
And mighty woods which did the valley shade,
And like a stately theater it made,
Spreading itself into a spacious plain,
And in the midst a little river played
Amongst the pumy stones which seemed to 'plain
With gentle murmur that his course they did restrain.

--Spenser.

The next morning Ishmael Worth went down to the shore, carrying' a
spy-glass to look out for the "Canvas Back." There was no certainty
about the passing of these sailing packets; a dead calm or a head wind
might delay them for days and even weeks; but on this occasion there was
no disappointment and no delay, the wind had been fair and the little
schooner was seen flying before it up the river. Ishmael seated himself
upon the shore and drew a book from his pocket to study while he waited
for the arrival of the schooner. In less than an hour she dropped anchor
opposite the landing, and sent off a large boat laden with boxes, and
rowed by four stout seamen. As they reached the sands Ishmael blew a
horn to warn Reuben Gray of their arrival.

Three or four times the boat went back and forth between the schooner
and the shore, each time bringing a heavy load. By the time the last
load was brought and deposited upon the beach, Reuben Gray arrived at
the spot with his team. The sailors received a small gratuity from Gray
and returned to the schooner, which immediately raised anchor and
continued her way up the river.