Where rivers brown and strong
As caribou bound along,

Break into angry parle
Where wildcat rapids snarl,

Subside, and like a snake
Wind to the quiet lake!

We've paddled furtively,
Where giant boughs hide the sky,--

Have stolen, and held our breath,
Thro' coverts still as death,--

Have left with wing unstirred
The brooding phoebe-bird,

And hardly caused a care
In the water-spider's lair.

For love of his clear pipe
We've flushed the zigzag snipe,--

Have chased in wilful mood
The wood-duck's flapping brood,--

Have spied the antlered moose
Cropping the young green spruce,