INLOVINGTRIBUTE
TOTHEMEMORYOFMYFATHER
MARKSTRATTON
\"ForhimeveryworkofGodmanifestedanewandheretoforeunappreciatedloveliness。\"
Chapter1
\"Goodcheer!Goodcheer!\"exultedtheCardinalHedartedthroughtheorangeorchardsearchingforslugsforhisbreakfast，andbetweenwhilesherockedonthebranchesandrangoverhismessageofencouragementtomen。ThesongoftheCardinalwasoverflowingwithjoy，forthiswashisholiday，hisplaytime。Thesouthernworldwasfilledwithbrilliantsunshine，gaudyflowers，anabundanceoffruit，myriadsofinsects，andneverathingtodoexcepttobathe，feast，andbehappy。Nowonderhissongwasaprophecyofgoodcheerforthefuture，forhappinessmadeupthewholeofhispast。
TheCardinalwasonlyayearling，yethiscrestflaredhigh，hisbeardwascrispandblack，andhewasaveryprodigyinsizeandcolouring。Fathersofhisfamilythathadaccomplishedmanymigrationsappearedsmallbesidehim，andcoatsthathadbeenshedseasonafterseasonseemeddullcomparedwithhis。Itwasasifapulsingheartofflamepassedbywhenhecamewingingthroughtheorchard。
LastseasontheCardinalhadpippedhisshell，awaytothenorth，inthatparadiseofthebirds，theLimberlost。Therethousandsofacresofblackmarsh—muckstretchundersummers’sunandwinters’snows。Therearedarksomepoolsofmurkywater，bitsofswale，andhighmorass。Giantsoftheforestreachskyward，or，coatedwithvelvetslime，liedecayinginsun—fleckedpools，whiletheunderbrushisalmostimpenetrable。
Theswampresemblesabigdining—tableforthebirds。Wildgrape—vinesclambertothetopsofthehighesttrees，spreadingumbrella—wiseoverthebranches，andtheirfestoonedfloatingtrailerswaveassilkenfringeintheplayofthewind。Thebirdslollintheshade，peelbark，gatherdriedcurlersfornestmaterial，andfeastonthepungentfruit。Theychatterinswarmsoverthewild—cherrytrees，andoverloadtheircropswithredhaws，wildplums，papaws，blackberriesandmandrake。Thealdersaroundtheedgedrawflocksinsearchofberries，andthemarshgrassesandweedsareweightedwithseedhunters。Themuckisalivewithworms；andthewholeswampablazewithflowers，whosecoloursandperfumesattractmyriadsofinsectsandbutterflies。
Wildcreepersflaunttheirredandgoldfromthetreetops，andthebumblebeesandhumming—birdsmakecommoncauseinriflingthehoney—ladentrumpets。Theairaroundthewild—plumandredhawtreesisvibrantwiththebeatingwingsofmillionsofwildbees，andthebee—birdsfeasttogluttony。Thefetidodoursoftheswampdrawinsectsinswarms，andfly—catcherstumbleandtwistinairinpursuitofthem。
Everyhollowtreehomesitscolonyofbats。Snakessunonthebushes。Thewaterfolkleavetrailsofshiningripplesintheirwakeastheycrossthelagoons。Turtleswaddleclumsilyfromthelogs。Frogstakegracefulleapsfrompooltopool。Everythingnativetothatsectionofthecountry—underground，creeping，ora—wing——canbefoundintheLimberlost；butaboveallthebirds。
Daintygreenwarblersnestinitstree—tops，andred—eyedvireoschoosealocationbelow。Itisthehomeofbell—birds，finches，andthrushes。Thereareflocksofblackbirds，grackles，andcrows。Jaysandcatbirdsquarrelconstantly，andmarsh—wrenskeepupnever—endingchatter。Oriolesswingtheirpendentpursesfromthebranches，andwiththetanagerspicniconmulberriesandinsects。Intheevening，night—hawksdartonsilentwing；
whippoorwillssetupaplaintivecrythattheycontinuefarintothenight；andowlsrevelinmoonlightandrichhunting。Atdawn，robinswaketheechoesofeachnewdaywiththeadmonition，\"Cheerup!Cheerup!\"andalittlelaterbigblackvulturesgowheelingthroughcloudlandorhangthere，likefrozensplashes，searchingtheLimberlostandthesurroundingcountryforfood。
Theboomofthebitternresoundsallday，andaboveittheraspingscreamoftheblueheron，ashestrikesterrortotheheartsoffrogdom；whiletheoccasionalcriesofalostloon，strayedfromitsflockinnorthernmigration，filltheswampwithsoundsofwailing。
Flashingthroughthetree—topsoftheLimberlosttherearebirdswhosecolourismorebrilliantthanthatofthegaudiestflowerliftingitsfacetolightandair。Theliliesofthemirearenotsowhiteasthewhiteheronsthatfishamongthem。Theripestsprayofgoldenrodisnotsohighlycolouredastheburnishedgoldonthebreastoftheoriolethatrocksonit。Thejaysarebluerthanthecalamusbedtheywrangleabovewiththroatychatter。Thefinchesareafinerpurplethantheironwort。ForeveryclumpoffoxfireflamingintheLimberlost，thereisacardinalglowingredderonabushaboveit。Thesemaynotbemorenumerousthanotherbirds，buttheirbrilliantcolouringandthefearlessdispositionmakethemseemso。
TheCardinalwashatchedinathicketofsweetbrierandblackberry。Hisfatherwasatougholdwidowerofmanyexperiencesandvariabletemper。Hewasthebiggest，mostaggressiveredbirdintheLimberlost，andeasilyreignedkingofhiskind。Catbirds，king—birds，andshrikesgavehimawideberth，andnoteventheever—quarrelsomejayspluckedupenoughcouragetoantagonizehim。Afewdaysafterhislatestbereavement，hesawafine，plumpyoungfemale；andshesofilledhiseyethathegavehernorestuntilshepermittedhiscaresses，andcarriedthefirsttwigtothewildrose。ShewasveryproudtomatewiththekingoftheLimberlost；andifdeepinherheartshefelttransientfearsofherlordlymaster，shegavenosign，forshewasabirdofgoodlyproportionandfinefeatherherself。
Shechoseherlocationwiththeeyeofanartist，andthejudgmentofanestbuilderofmoreexperience。Itwouldbedifficultforsnakesandsquirrelstopenetratethatbrierythicket。Thewhiteberryblossomsscarcelyhadceasedtoattractaswarmofinsectsbeforethesweetsoftherosesrecalledthem；
bythetimetheyhadfaded，lusciousbigberriesripenedwithinreachanddrewfoodhunters。Shebuiltwithfarmorethanordinarycare。Itwasabeautifulnest，notnearlysocarelesslymadeasthoseofherkindredallthroughtheswamp。Therewasadistinctattemptatacupshape，anditreallywasneatlylinedwithdriedbladesofsweetmarshgrass。Butitwasinthelayingofherfirsteggthatthequeencardinalforeverdistinguishedherself。Shewasafinehealthybird，fullofloveandhappinessoverherfirstventureinnest—building，andshesofarsurpassedherselfonthatoccasionshehaddifficultyinconvincinganyonethatshewasresponsiblefortheresult。
Indeed，shewascompelledtoliftbeakandwingagainsthermateindefenseofthisegg，foritwassounusuallylargethathecouldnotbepersuadedshortofforcethatsomesneakofthefeatheredtribehadnotslippedinanddepositeditinherabsence。Thekingfeltsuretherewassomethingwrongwiththeegg，andwantedtorollitfromthenest；butthequeenknewherown，andstoutlybattledforitsprotection。Shefurtherincreasedtheirprospectsbylayingthreeothers。Afterthatthekingmadeuphismindthatshewasamostremarkablebird，andwentawaypleasure—seeking；butthequeensettledtobrooding，apictureofjoyousfaithandcontentment。
Throughallthelongdays，whentheheatbecameintense，andthekingwasnonetoothoughtfulofherappetiteorcomfort，shenestledthosefoureggsagainstherbreastandpatientlywaited。
Thebigeggwashertreasure。Shegaveitconstantcare。Manytimesinadaysheturnedit；andalwaysagainstherbreasttherewastheindividualpressurethatdistinguisheditfromtheothers。Itwasthefirsttohatch，ofcourse，andthequeenfeltthatshehadenoughifalltheothersfailedher；forthiseggpippedwitharesoundingpip，andbeforethesilkydownwasreallydryonthebigterracottabody，theyoungCardinalaroseandlustilydemandedfood。
Thekingcametoseehimandatonceacknowledgedsubjugation。
Hewasthefatherofmanypromisingcardinals，yetheneverhadseenonelikethis。HesettheLimberlostechoesrollingwithhisjubilantrejoicing。Heunceasinglyhuntedfortheripestberriesandseed。Hestuffedthatbabyfrommorninguntilnight，andnevercamewithfoodthathedidnotfindhimstandinga—toptheotherscallingformore。Thequeenwasjustasproudofhimandquiteasfoolishinheridolatry，butshekepttallyandgavetheremaindereveryotherworminturn。Theywereunusuallyfinebabies，butwhatchancehasmerelyafinebabyinafamilythatpossessesaprodigy？TheCardinalwasaslargeasanytwooftheothernestlings，andsoredtheverydownonhimseemedtingedwithcrimson；hisskinandevenhisfeetwerered。
Hewasthefirsttoclimbtotheedgeofthenestandthefirsttohoponalimb。Hesurprisedhisparentsbyfindingaslug，andwingedhisfirstflighttosuchadistancethathisadoringmotheralmostwentintospasmslesthisstrengthmightfail，andhewouldfallintotheswampandbecomethevictimofahungryoldturtle。Hereturnedsafely，however；andthekingwassopleasedhehuntedhimanunusuallyripeberry，andperchingbeforehim，gavehimhisfirstlanguagelesson。Ofcourse，theCardinalknewhowtocry\"Pee\"and\"Chee\"whenhebursthisshell；butthekingtaughthimtochipwithaccuracyandexpression，andhelearnedthatverydaythatmalebirdsofthecardinalfamilyalwayscall\"Chip，\"andthefemales\"Chook。\"Infact，helearnedsorapidlyandwasgenerallysoobservant，thatbeforethekingthoughtitwisetogivethenextlesson，hefoundhimonalimb，hisbeakclosed，histhroatswelling，practisinghisownrenderingofthetribalcalls，\"Wheat!Wheat!Wheat!\"
\"Here!Here!Here!\"and\"Cheer!Cheer!Cheer!\"Thissodelightedthekingthathewhistledthemoverandoverandhelpedtheyoungsterallhecould。
Hewassoproudofhimthatthissamenighthegavehimhisfirstlessonintuckinghisheadproperlyandgoingtosleepalone。Inafewmoredays，whenhewassureofhiswingstrength，hegavehiminstructionsinflying。Hetaughthimhowtospreadhiswingsandslowlysailfromtreetotree；howtoflyinshortbrokencurves，toavoidtheaimofahunter；howtoturnabruptlyinairandmakeaquickdashafterabugoranenemy。Hetaughthimtheproperangleatwhichtobreastastiffwind，andthathealwaysshouldmeetastormheadfirst，sothatthewaterwouldrunastheplumagelay。
Hisfirstbathinglessonwasapronouncedsuccess。TheCardinalenjoyedwaterlikeaduck。Hebathed，splashed，andrompeduntilhismotherwasalmostcrazyforfearhewouldattractawatersnakeorturtle；buttheelementoffearwasnotapartofhisdisposition。Helearnedtodry，dress，andplumehisfeathers，andshowedsuchremarkableprideinkeepinghimselfimmaculate，thatalthoughonlyayoungster，hewasalreadyabirdofsuchgreatpromise，thatmanyofthefeatheredinhabitantsoftheLimberlostcametopayhimacall。
Next，thekingtookhimonalongtriparoundtheswamp，andtaughthimtoselecttheproperplacestohuntforworms；howtosearchunderleavesforplant—liceandslugsformeat；whichberriesweregoodandsafe，andthekindofweedsthatborethemostandbestseeds。Heshowedhimhowtofindtinypebblestogrindhisfood，andhowtosharpenandpolishhisbeak。
Thenhetookuptherealmusiclessons，andtaughthimhowtowhistleandhowtowarbleandtrill。\"GoodCheer!GoodCheer!\"
intonedtheking。\"CooCher!CooCher!\"imitatedtheCardinal。
Thesesongswereonlystudiedrepetitions，buttherewasadepthandvolumeinhisvoicethatgavepromiseoffuturegreatness，whenageshouldhavedevelopedhim，andexperienceawakenedhisemotions。Hewasanexcellentmusicianforayoungster。
Hesoondidsowellincaringforhimself，infindingfoodandinflight，andgrewsobigandindependent，thathemadenumerousexcursionsalonethroughtheLimberlost；andsoimpressivewerehisproportions，andsoaggressivehismanner，thathesufferednomolestation。Infact，thereignofthekingpromisedtoendspeedily；butifhefearedithemadenosign，andhisprideinhiswonderfuloffspringwasalwaysmanifest。AftertheCardinalhadexploredtheswampthoroughly，alongingforawiderrangegrewuponhim；anddayafterdayhelingeredaroundtheborders，lookingacrossthewidecultivatedfields，almostachingtotesthiswingsinonelong，high，wildstretchofflight。
Adaycamewhentheheatofthelatesummersetthemarshsteaming，andtheCardinal，flyingclosetotheborders，caughtthebreezefromtheupland；andthevisionofbroadfieldsstretchingtowardthenorthsoenticedhimthathespreadhiswings，andfollowingthelineoftreesandfencesasmuchaspossible，hemadehisfirstjourneyfromhome。Thatdaywassodelightfulitdecidedhisfortunes。Itwouldseemthattheswamp，soappreciatedbyhiskindred，shouldhavebeensufficientfortheCardinal，butitwasnot。Witheverymilehewingedhisflight，cameagreatersenseofpowerandstrength，andakeenerloveforthebroadsweepoffieldandforest。Hisheartboundedwiththezestofrockingonthewind，racingthroughthesunshine，andsailingovertheendlesspanoramaofwavingcornfields，andwoodlands。
TheheatandclosenessoftheLimberlostseemedaprisonwellescaped，asonandonheflewinstraightuntiringflight。
Crossingafieldofhalf—ripenedcornthatslopedtotheriver，theCardinalsawmanybirdsfeedingthere，sohealightedonatalltreetowatchthem。Soonhedecidedthathewouldliketotrythisnewfood。Hefoundaplacewhereacrowhadleftanearnicelylaidopen，andclingingtothehusk，ashesawtheothersdo，hestretchedtohisfullheightanddrovehisstrongsharpbeakintothecreamygrain。Afterthestiflingswamphunting，afterthelongexcitingflight，torockonthisswayingcornanddrinktherichmilkofthegrain，wastotheCardinalhisfirsttasteofnectarandambrosia。Heliftedhisheadwhenhecametothegoldenkernel，andchippingitintinyspecks，hetastedandapprovedwithallthedelightofanepicureinadeliciousnewdish。
Perhapstherewereothertreatsinthenextfield。Hedecidedtoflyevenfarther。ButhehadgoneonlyashortdistancewhenhechangedhiscourseandturnedtotheSouth，forbelowhimwasalong，shining，creepingthing，fringedwithwillows，whiletoweringabovethemweregiantsycamore，maple，tulip，andelmtreesthatcaughtandrockedwiththewind；andtheCardinaldidnotknowwhatitwas。Filledwithwonderhedroppedlowerandlower。Birdswereeverywhere，manyflyingoveranddippingintoit；butitsclearcreepingsilverwasamysterytotheCardinal。
ThebeautifulriverofpoetryandsongthattheIndiansfirstdiscovered，andlaterwiththeFrench，namedOuabache；thewindingshiningriverthatLoganandMe—shin—go—me—sialoved；theonlyriverthatcouldtemptWa—ca—co—nahfromtheSalamonieandMississinewa；theriverbeneathwhosesilversycamoresandgiantmaplesChiefGodfreypitchedhiscampfires，wasnevermorebeautifulthanonthatperfectautumnday。
Withhisfeatherspressedclosely，theCardinalalightedonawillow，andleanedtolook，quiveringwithexcitementandutteringexplosive\"chips\"；fortherehewas，facetofacewithabigredbirdthatappearedneitherpeacefulnortimid。Heutteredanimpudent\"Chip\"ofchallenge，which，asitlefthisbeak，wasflungbacktohim。TheCardinalflaredhiscrestandhalfliftedhiswings，stiffeningthematthebutt；thebirdhewasfacingdidthesame。Inhissurprisehearosetohisfullheightwithadexterouslittlesidestep，andtheotherbirdstraightenedandside—steppedexactlywithhim。ThiswastooinsultingfortheCardinal。Strainingeverymuscle，hemadeadashattheimpudentstranger。
Hestruckthewaterwithsuchforcethatitsplashedabovethewillows，andakingfisher，stationedonastumpoppositehim，watchingtheshoalsforminnows，sawit。Hespreadhisbeakandrolledforthrattlinglaughter，untilhisvoicereechoedfrompointtopointdowntheriver。TheCardinalscarcelyknewhowhegotout，buthehadlearnedanewlesson。Thatbeautiful，shining，creepingthingwaswater；notthick，tepid，blackmarshwater，butpure，cool，silverwater。Heshookhisplumage，feelingadegreeredderfromshame，buthewouldnotbelaughedintoleaving。Hefoundittoodelightful。Inashorttimeheventureddownandtookasip，anditwasthefirstrealdrinkofhislife。Oh，butitwasgood!
Whenthirstfromtheheatandhislongflightwasquenched，heventuredinforabath，andthatwasanewanddelightfulexperience。Howhesplashedandsplashed，andsentthesilverdropsflying!Howheduckedandsoakedandcooledinthatripplingwater，inwhichhemightremainaslongashepleasedandsplashhisfill；forhecouldseethebottomforalongdistanceallaround，andeasilycouldavoidanythingattemptingtoharmhim。Hewassowetwhenhisbathwasfinishedhescarcelycouldreachabushtodryanddresshisplumage。
Onceagaininperfectfeather，herememberedthebirdofthewater，andreturnedtothewillow。ThereinthedepthsoftheshiningrivertheCardinaldiscoveredhimself，andhisheartswelledbigwithjustpride。Wasthatbroadfullbreasthis？
Wherehadheseenanyothercardinalwithacrestsohighitwavedinthewind？Howbigandblackhiseyeswere，andhisbeardwasalmostaslongandcrispashisfather’s。Hespreadhiswingsandgloatedontheirsweep，andtwistedandflirtedhistail。Hewentoverhistoiletagainanddressedeveryfeatheronhim。Hescouredthebackofhisneckwiththebuttofhiswings，andtuckinghisheadunderthem，slowlydrewitouttimeaftertimetopolishhiscrest。Heturnedandtwisted。Herockedandparaded，andeveryglimpsehecaughtofhissizeandbeautyfilledhimwithpride。Hestruttedlikeapeacockandchatteredlikeajay。
Whenhecouldfindnofurtherpointstoadmire，somethingelsecaughthisattention。Whenhe\"chipped\"therewasananswering\"Chip\"acrosstheriver；certainlytherewasnocardinalthere，soitmustbethathewashearinghisownvoiceaswellasseeinghimself。Selectingaconspicuousperchhesentanincisive\"Chip!\"acrossthewater，andinkinditcamebacktohim。Thenhe\"chipped\"softlyandtenderly，ashedidintheLimberlosttoafavouritelittlesisterwhooftencameandperchedbesidehiminthemaplewhereheslept，andsoftlyandtenderlycametheanswer。ThentheCardinalunderstood。\"Wheat!Wheat!Wheat!\"
Hewhistledithigh，andhewhistleditlow。\"Cheer!Cheer!
Cheer!\"Hewhistledittenderlyandsharplyandimperiously。
\"Here!Here!Here!\"Atthisringingcommand，everybird，asfarastherivercarriedhisvoice，cametoinvestigateandremainedtoadmire。Overandoverherangeverychangehecouldinvent。
Hemadeagallanteffortatwarblingandtrilling，andthen，withthegladdestheartheeverhadknown，heburstintoringingsong：
\"GoodCheer!GoodCheer!GoodCheer!\"
Aseveningcameonhegrewrestlessanduneasy，soheslowlywingedhiswaybacktotheLimberlost；butthatdayforeverspoiledhimforaswampbird。Inthenightherestlesslyruffledhisfeathers，andsniffedforthebreezeofthemeadows。Hetastedthecornandtheclearwateragain。Headmiredhisimageintheriver，andlongedforthesoundofhisvoice，untilhebeganmurmuring，\"Wheat!Wheat!Wheat!\"inhissleep。Intheearliestdawnarobinawokehimsinging，\"Cheerup!Cheerup!\"
andheansweredwithasleepy\"Cheer!Cheer!Cheer!\"Latertherobinsangagainwithexquisitesoftnessandtenderness：\"Cheerup，Dearie!Cheerup，Dearie!Cheerup!Cheerup!Cheer!\"TheCardinal，nowfullyawakened，shoutedlustily，\"GoodCheer!GoodCheer!\"andafterthatitwasonlyashorttimeuntilhewasonhiswaytowardtheshiningriver。Itwasbetterthanbefore，andeveryfollowingdayfoundhimfeastinginthecornfieldandbathingintheshiningwater；buthealwaysreturnedtohisfamilyatnightfall。
WhenblackfrostsbegantostriptheLimberlost，andfoodwasalmostreducedtodryseed，therecameadayonwhichthekingmarshalledhisfollowersandgavethemagicsignal。Withduskheledthemsouthward，mileaftermile，untiltheirbreathfellshort，andtheirwingsachedwithunaccustomedflight；butbecauseofthetripstotheriver，theCardinalwasstrongerthantheothers，andheeasilykeptabreastoftheking。Intheearlymorning，evenbeforetherobinswereawake，thekingsettledintheEverglades。ButtheCardinalhadlostalllikingforswamplife，sohestubbornlysetoutalone，andinashorttimehehadfoundanotherriver。Itwasnotquitesodelightfulastheshiningriver；butstillitwasbeautiful，andonitsgentlyslopingbankwasanorangeorchard。TheretheCardinalrested，andfoundawinterhomeafterhisheart’sdesire。
Thefollowingmorning，agolden—hairedlittlegirlandanoldmanwithsnowylockscamehandinhandthroughtheorchard。Thechildsawtheredbirdandimmediatelyclaimedhim，andthatsamedaytheedictwentforththataverydreadfultimewasinstoreforanyonewhoharmedorevenfrightenedtheCardinal。Soinsecuritybeganaseriesofdaysthatwerepuredelight。Theorchardwasalivewithinsects，attractedbytheheavyodours，andslugsinfestedthebark。FeastingwasalmostasgoodasintheLimberlost，andalwaystherewastherivertodrinkfromandtosplashinatwill。
Inthosedaysthechildandtheoldmanlingeredforhoursintheorchard，watchingthebirdthateverydayseemedtogrowbiggerandbrighter。Whatapicturehiscoat，nowabrightcardinalred，madeagainstthewaxygreenleaves!Howbigandbrilliantheseemedasheracedanddartedinplayamongthecreamyblossoms!Howthelittlegirlstoodwithclaspedhandsworshippinghim，aswithswellingthroatherockedonthehighestsprayandsanghisinspiringchorusoverandover：\"GoodCheer!
GoodCheer!\"Everydaytheycametowatchandlisten。Theyscatteredcrumbs；andtheCardinalgrewsofriendlythathegreetedtheircomingwithaquick\"Chip!Chip!\"whilethedelightedchildtriedtorepeatitafterhim。Soontheybecamesuchfriendsthatwhenhesawthemapproachinghewouldcallsoftly\"Chip!Chip!\"andthenwithbeadyeyesandtiltedheadawaitherreply。
SometimesamemberofhisfamilyfromtheEvergladesfoundhiswayintotheorchard，andtheCardinal，havinggrowntofeelasenseofproprietorship，resentedtheintrusionandpursuedhimlikeastreakofflame。Wheneveranystragglerhadthisexperience，hereturnedtotheswamprealizingthattheCardinaloftheorangeorchardwasalmosttwicehissizeandstrength，andsostartlinglyredastobeawonder。
Onedayagentlebreezefromthenorthsprangupandstirredtheorangebranches，waftingtheheavyperfumeacrossthelandandouttosea，andspreadinitssteadacool，delicate，pungentodour。TheCardinalliftedhisheadandwhistledaninquiringnote。Hewasnotcertain，andwentonsearchingforslugs，andpredictinghappinessinfullroundnotes：\"GoodCheer!GoodCheer!\"Againtheodourswepttheorchard，sostrongthatthistimetherewasnomistakingit。TheCardinaldartedtothetopmostbranch，hiscrestflaring，histailtwitchingnervously。
\"Chip!Chip!\"hecriedwithexcitedinsistence，\"Chip!Chip!\"
Thebreezewascomingstifflyandsteadilynow，unlikeanythingtheCardinaleverhadknown，foritscoolbreathtoldofice—boundfieldsbreakingupunderthesun。Itsdamptouchwasfromthespringshowerswashingthefaceofthenorthland。Itssubtleodourwasthecomminglingofmyriadsofunfoldingleavesandcrispplants，upspringing；itspungentperfumewasthepollenofcatkins。
UpinthelandoftheLimberlost，oldMotherNature，withstridentmuttering，hadsetaboutherannualhousecleaning。
Withherefficientbroom，theMarchwind，shewassweepingeverynookandcrannyclean。Withherscrub—bucketoverflowingwithAprilshowers，shewaswashingthefaceofallcreation，andifthesemeasuresfailedtoproducecleanlinesstohersatisfaction，shegaveafinalpolishwithstormsofhail。Theshiningriverwasfilledtooverflowing；breakinguptheiceandcarryingaloadofrefuse，itwentrollingtothesea。Theiceandsnowhadnotaltogethergone；butthelong—pregnantearthwasmotheringherchildren。Shecringedateverystep，forthegroundwasteemingwithlife。Bugandwormwereworkingtolightandwarmth。Thrustingasidethemoldandleavesabovethem，springbeauties，hepaticas，andvioletsliftedtendergolden—greenheads。Thesapwasflowing，andleaflesstreeswerecoveredwithswellingbuds。Delicatemosseswerecreepingovereverystickofdecayingtimber。Thelichensonstoneandfencewerefreshlypaintedinunendingshadesofgrayandgreen。Myriadsofflowersandvineswerespringinguptocoverlastyear’sdecayingleaves。
\"Thebeautifuluncuthairofgraves\"wascreepingovermeadow，spreadingbesideroadways，andblanketingeverynakedspot。
TheLimberlostwaswakingtolifeevenaheadofthefieldsandtheriver。Throughthewinterithadbeenthebarestanddreariestofplaces；butnowtheearliestsignsofreturningspringwereinitsmartialmusic，forwhenthegreenhylapipes，andthebullfrogdrums，thebirdvoicessoonjointhem。Thecatkinsbloomedfirst；andthen，inanincrediblyshorttime，flags，rushes，andvineswerelikeaseaofwavinggreen，andswellingbudswerereadytoburst。Intheuplandthesmokewascurlingoversugar—campandclearing；intheforestsanimalswererousingfromtheirlongsleep；theshadwerestartinganewtheirnever—endingjourneyuptheshiningriver；peepsofgreenweremantlinghilltopandvalley；andthenorthlandwasreadyforitsdearestspringtimetreasurestocomehomeagain。
Fromoverheadwereringingthosefirstgladnotes，caughtnearertheThronethanthoseofanyotherbird，\"Springo’year!Springo’year!\"；whilestilt—leggedlittlekilldeerswerescuddingaroundtheLimberlostandbesidetheriver，flingingfromcloudlandtheir\"Killdeer!Killdeer!\"call。Therobinsintheorchardswerepullingthelongdriedbladesoflastyear’sgrassfrombeneaththesnowtolinetheirmud—walledcups；andthebluebirdswereatthehollowappletree。Flatonthetoprail，thedovesweregatheringtheirfewcoarsesticksandtwigstogether。Itwassuchasplendidplacetosettheircradle。Theweatherbeaten，rottingoldrailsweretheverycolourofthebusydovemother。Herred—rimmedeyefittedintothebackgroundlikeatinyscarletlichencup。Surelynoonewouldeverseeher!
TheLimberlostandshiningriver，thefieldsandforests，thewaysidebushesandfences，thestumps，logs，hollowtrees，eventhebarebrownbreastofMotherEarth，wereallwaitingtocradletheirownagain；andbyoneoftheuntoldmiracleseachwouldreturntoitsplace。
Therewasintoxicationintheair。Thesubtle，pungent，ravishingodoursonthewind，ofunfoldingleaves，ice—waterwashedplants，andcatkinpollen，wereanelixirtohumanity。
Thecattleofthefieldwerefairlydrunkwithit，andherds，dry—fedduringthewinter，werecomingtotheirfirstgrazingwithheadsthrownhigh，romping，bellowing，andracinglikewildthings。
Thenorthwind，sweepingfromicyfastnesses，caughtthisodourofspring，andcarriedittotheorangeorchardsandEverglades；
andatabreathofit，crazedwithexcitement，theCardinalwentflamingthroughtheorchard，forwithnoonetoteachhim，heknewwhatitmeant。Thecallhadcome。Holidayswereover。
Itwastimetogohome，timetoriotincrispfreshness，timetogocourting，timetomakelove，timetopossesshisown，timeformatingandnest—building。Allthatdayheflashedaround，nervouswithdreadoftheunknown，andpalpitantwithdelightfulexpectation；butwiththecomingofduskhebeganhisjourneynorthward。
WhenhepassedtheEverglades，hewingedhiswayslowly，andrepeatedlysentdownachallenging\"Chip，\"buttherewasnoanswer。ThentheCardinalknewthatthenorthwindhadcarriedatruemessage，forthekingandhisfollowerswereaheadofhimontheirwaytotheLimberlost。Mileaftermile，athingofpulsingfire，hebreastedtheblue—blacknight，anditwasnotsoverylonguntilhecoulddiscernaflickeringpatchofdarknesssweepingtheskybeforehim。TheCardinalflewsteadilyinastraightsweep，untilwithathroboftriumphinhisheart，hearoseinhiscourse，andfromfaroverhead，flungdownaboastfulchallengetothekingandhisfollowers，ashesailedabovethemandwaslostfromsight。
ItwasstillduskywiththedarknessofnightwhenhecrossedtheLimberlost，droppinglowenoughtoseeitsbrancheslaidbare，tocatchagleamofgreeninitsswellingbuds，andtohearthewaveringchorusofitsfrogs。Buttherewasnohesitationinhisflight。Straightandsurehewingedhiswaytowardtheshiningriver；anditwasonlyafewmoremilesuntiltherollingwatersofitsspringtimefloodcaughthiseye。Droppingprecipitately，heplungedhisburningbeakintothelovedwater；thenheflewintoafineoldstagsumacandtuckedhisheadunderhiswingforashortrest。Hehadmadethelongflightinoneunbrokensweep，andhewassleepy。Inuttercontentheruffledhisfeathersandclosedhiseyes，forhewasbesidetheshiningriver；anditwouldbeanotherseasonbeforetheorangeorchardwouldringagainwithhis\"GoodCheer!GoodCheer!\"
Chapter2
\"Wetyear!Wetyear!\"prophesiedtheCardinalThesumacseemedtofillhisideaofaperfectlocationfromtheveryfirst。Heperchedonalimb，andbetweendressinghisplumageandpeckingatlastyear’ssourdriedberries，hesentabroadhisprediction。OldMotherNatureverifiedhiswisdombysendingadashingshower，buthecarednotatallforawetting。
Heknewhowtoturnhiscrimsonsuitintothemostperfectofwater—proofcoats；soheflattenedhiscrest，sleekedhisfeathers，andbreastingtheAprildownpour，keptoncallingforrain。Heknewhewouldappearbrighterwhenitwaspast，andheseemedtoknow，too，thateverydayofsunshineandshowerwouldbringnearerhisheart’sdesire。
HewasaveryBeauBrummelwhilehewaited。Frommorninguntilnighthebathed，dressedhisfeathers，sunnedhimself，fluffedandflirted。Hestruttedand\"chipped\"incessantly。Heclaimedthatsumacforhisveryown，andstoutlybattledforpossessionwithmanyintruders。Itgrewonadenselywoodedslope，andtheshiningriverwentsingingbetweengrassybanks，whitenedwithspringbeauties，belowit。Crowdedarounditwerethicketsofpapaw，wildgrape—vines，thorn，dogwood，andredhaw，thatattractedbugandinsect；andjustacrosstheoldsnakefencewasafieldofmellowmouldslopingtotheriver，thatsoonwouldbeplowedforcorn，turningoutnumberlessbigfatgrubs。
Hewascompelledalmosthourlytowagebattlesforhislocation，fortherewassomethingfineabouttheoldstagsumacthatattractedhomesteadseekers。AsoberpairofrobinsbeganlayingtheirfoundationstherethemorningtheCardinalarrived，andacoupleofblackbirdstriedtotakepossessionbeforethedayhadpassed。Hehadlittletroublewiththerobins。Theywereeasilyconquered，andwithsmallprotestsettledarodupthebankinawild—plumtree；buttheairwasthickwith\"chips，\"chatter，andredandblackfeathers，beforetheblackbirdsacknowledgeddefeat。Theywereold—timers，andknewaboutthegrubsandtheyoungcorn；buttheyalsoknewwhentheywerebeaten，sotheymoveddownstreamtoascruboak，tryingtoassureeachotherthatitwastheplacetheyreallyhadwantedfromthefirst。
TheCardinalwasleftboastingandstruttinginthesumac，butinhishearthefounditlonesomebusiness。Beingthesonofaking，hewasmuchtoodignifiedtobegforamate，andbesides，ittookallhistimetoguardthesumac；buthiseyeswerewideopentoallthatwentonaroundhim，andheenviedtheblackbirdhisglossy，devotedlittlesweetheart，withallhismight。Healmoststrainedhisvoicetryingtorivalthelove—songofaskylarkthathungamongthecloudsaboveameadowacrosstheriver，andpoureddowntohismateastoryofadoringloveandsympathy。Hescreameda\"Chip\"ofsuchsavagejealousyatapairofkilldeerloversthathesentthemscamperingdowntheriverbankwithoutknowingthatthecrimeofwhichtheystoodconvictedwasthatofbeingmatedwhenhewasnot。Asforthedovesthatwerealreadybroodingonthelinefencebeneaththemaples，theCardinalwastornbetweentwoopinions。
Hewasalone，hewaslove—sick，andhewasholdingthefinestbuildinglocationbesidetheshiningriverforhismate，andherslownessincomingmadetheirdevotiondifficulttoendurewhenhecovetedatruelove；butitseemedtotheCardinalthathenevercouldsoforgethimselfastoemulatetheexampleofthatdovelover。Thedovehadnodignity；hewassoeffusivehewasanuisance。HekepthisdignifiedQuakermatestuffedtodiscomfort；heclungtothesideofthenesttryingtohelpbrooduntilhealmostcrowdedherfromtheeggs。Hepesteredherwithcaressesandcooedoverhislove—songuntileverychipmunkonthelinefencewasfamiliarwithhisstory。TheCardinal’stemperwasworntosuchafineedgethathedartedatthedoveonedayandpulledabigtuftoffeathersfromhisback。Whenhehadreturnedtothesumac，hewascompelledtoadmitthathisangerlayquiteasmuchinthathehadnoonetoloveasbecausethedovewasdisgustinglydevoted。
Everymorningbroughtnewarrivals——trimyoungfemalesfreshfromtheirlongholiday，andbigboastfulmalesappearingtheirbrightestandbravest，eachsingeralmostsplittinghisthroatintheefforttocaptivatethematehecoveted。Theycameflashingdowntheriverbank，likerocketsofscarlet，gold，blue，andblack；rockingonthewillows，splashinginthewater，burstingintojetsofmelody，makingeverypossibledisplayoftheirbeautyandmusic；andattimesfightingfiercelywhentheydiscoveredthatthefemalestheywerewooingfavouredtheirrivalsanddesiredonlytobefriendlywiththem。
TheheartoftheCardinalsankashewatched。Therewasnotamemberofhisimmediatefamilyamongthem。Hepitiedhimselfashewonderediffatehadinstoreforhimthetrialshesawotherssuffering。Thosedreadfulfeatheredfemales!Howtheycoquetted!
Howtheyflirted!Howtheysleekedandflattenedtheirplumage，andwithhalf—openbeaksandsparklingeyes，hoppedcloserandcloserasifcharmed。Theeagersingers，withswellingthroats，sangandsanginaveryfrenzyofextravagantpleading，butjustwhentheyfeltsuretheirlittleloveswereonthepointofsurrender，aroddistantabovethebusheswouldgostreaksoffeathers，andtherewasnothingleftbuttoendurethebitterdisappointment，followthem，andbeginallover。ForthelastthreedaystheCardinalhadbeenwatchinghiscousin，rose—breastedGrosbeak，makeviolentlovetothemostexquisitelittlefemale，whoapparentlyencouragedhisadvances，onlytoseehimleftsittingasblueanddisconsolateasanyhumanlover，whenhediscoversthatthemaidwhohascoquettedwithhimforaseasonbelongstoanotherman。
TheCardinalflewtotheverytopofthehighestsycamoreandlookedacrosscountrytowardtheLimberlost。Shouldhegothereseekingaswampmateamonghiskindred？Itwasnotanendurablethought。Tobesure，matterswerebecomingserious。Nobirdbesidetheshiningriverhadplumed，paraded，ormademoremusicthanhe。Wasitalltobewasted？Bythistimeheconfidentlyhadexpectedresults。OnlythatmorninghehadswelledwithprideasheheardMrs。JaytellherquarrelsomehusbandthatshewishedshecouldexchangehimfortheCardinal。Didnotthegentledovepausebythesumac，whensheleftbroodingtotakehermorningdipinthedust，andgazeathimwithunconcealedadmiration？Nodoubtshedevoutlywishedherplainpudgyhusbandworeascarletcoat。Butitispraisefromone’sownsexthatispraiseindeed，andonlyanhouragothelarkhadreportedthatfromhislookoutabovecloudhesawnoothersingeranywheresosplendidastheCardinalofthesumac。Becauseofthesethingsheheldfasttohisconvictionthathewasaprinceindeed；andhedecidedtoremaininhischosenlocationandwithhisphysicalandvocalattractionscompelthefinestlittlecardinalinthefieldstoseekhim。
Heplanneditallverycarefully：howshewouldhearhissplendidmusicandcometotakeapeepathim；howshewouldbecaptivatedbyhissizeandbeauty；howshewouldcometimidly，butcome，ofcourse，forhisapproval；howhewouldcondescendtoacceptherifshepleasedhiminallparticulars；howshewouldbedevotedtohim；andhowshewouldapprovehischoiceofahome，forthesumacwasinalovelyspotforscenery，aswellasnest—building。
Forseveraldayshehadboasted，hehadbantered，hehadchallenged，hehadonthislastdayalmostcondescendedtocoaxing，butnotonelittlebright—eyedcardinalfemalehadcometoofferherself。
Theperformanceofabrownthrushdrovehimwildwithenvy。Thethrushcameglidinguptheriverbank，arusty—coated，sneakingthingoftheunderbrush，andtakingpossessionofathornbushjustoppositethesumac，hesangforanhourintheopen。Therewasnowaytoimprovethatmusic。Itwaswovenfreshfromthewarpandwoofofhisfancy。Itwasasongsofilledwiththejoyandgladnessofspring，notessothrilledwithlove’spleadingandpassion’stenderpulsingpain，thatatitsclosetherewereahalf—dozenadmiringthrushfemalesgatheredaround。Withcareanddeliberationthebrownthrushselectedthemostattractive，andshefollowedhimtothethicketasifcharmed。
ItwastheCardinal’sdreammaterializedforanotherbeforehisveryeyes，anditfilledhimwithenvy。Ifthatplainbrownbirdthatslinkedasifhehadathefttoaccountfor，could，byshowinghimselfandsingingforanhour，winamate，whyshouldnothe，themostgorgeousbirdofthewoods，openlyflauntinghischarmsanddiscoursinghismusic，haveatleastequalsuccess？
Shouldhe，theproudest，mostmagnificentofcardinals，becompelledtogoseekingamatelikeanycommonbird？Perishthethought!
Hewenttotherivertobathe。Afterfindingaspotwherethewaterflowedcrystal—clearoverabedofwhitelimestone，hewasheduntilhefeltthathecouldbenocleaner。ThentheCardinalwenttohisfavouritesun—parlour，andstretchingonalimb，hestoodhisfeathersonend，andsunned，fluffedandprinkeduntilhewasimmaculate。
Onthetip—topantleroftheoldstagsumac，heperchedandstraineduntilhisjettywhiskersappearedstubby。Hepouredoutatumultuouscryvibrantwitheverypassionraginginhim。Hecaughtuphisownrollingechoesandchangedandvariedthem。Heimprovised，andsettheshiningriverringing，\"Wetyear!Wetyear!\"
Hewhistledandwhistleduntilallbirdlandandevenmankindheard，forthefarmerpausedathiskitchendoor，withhispailsoffoamingmilk，andcalledtohiswife：
\"Hearthat，Maria!Jesthearit!Iswanny，ifthatbirddoesn’tstoppredictin’wetweather，I’llgetsoscaredIwon’tdurstputinmycornaforeJune。They’ssomebirdslikekilldeersan’
bobwhites’atcanmakethingsprettyplain，butIneverheardabird’atcouldjestspeakwordsoutclearan’distinctlikethatfellow。Seemstocomefromtheriverbottom。B’lieveI’lljeststepdownthatwayan’seeifthelowerfieldisreadyfortheplowyet。\"
\"AbramJohnson，\"saidhiswife，\"bein’syousetupforanhonestman，ifyouwanttotrapsethroughslushan’drizzleahalf—miletoseeabird，whysayso，butdon’tforland’ssakelayitontoplowin’’atyouknowinallconsciencewon’tbereadyforaweekyet’thoutpretendin’tolook。\"
Abramgrinnedsheepishly。\"I’mwillin’tocallitthebirdifyouare，Maria。I’vebeenhearin’himfromthebarnallday，an’
there’ssomethin’kindo’humaninhisnotes’attakesmejestalittlediffruntfromanyotherbirdIevernoticed。I’mreallycurioustoseteyesonhim。Seemedtomefromhissingin’outtothebarn，it’udbemightynearlikemeetin’folks。\"
\"Bosh!\"exclaimedMaria。\"Idon’ts’posehesingsamitebetter’ananyotherbird。It’sjesttheoldWabashrollin’uptheechoes。Abirdsingin’besidetheriveralwayssoundstwicetasfineasoneonthehills。I’veknowedthatforfortyyear。
Chancesare’athe’llbegone’foreyougetthere。\"
AsAbramopenedthedoor，\"Wetyear!Wetyear!\"pealedtheflamingprophet。
Hewentout，closingthedoorsoftly，andwithanutterdisregardforthecornfield，madeabeelineforthemusician。
\"Idon’tknowasthisisthebestfortwingeso’rheumatiz，\"hemuttered，asheturneduphiscollaranddrewhisoldhatlowertokeepthesplashingdropsfromhisface。\"Idon’tjestrightlys’poseIshouldgo；butI’mfreetoadmitI’dasliefbedeadasnottoanswerwhenIgetacall，an’thefactis，I’mCALLEDdownbesidetheriver。\"
\"Wetyear!Wetyear!\"rolledtheCardinal’sprediction。
\"Thanky，oldfellow!Gladtohearyou!Didn’tjestneedtheinformation，butIgotmybearin’srightlyfromit!Icanaboutpickoutyourbush，an’it’swellalongtowardsevenin’，too，an’
mustbemightynearyourbedtime。Looksasifyoumightbestayin’roundtheseparts!I’dlikeitpowerfulwellifyou’dsettlerighthere，say’boutwhereyouare。An’whereareyou，anyway？\"
Abramwentpeeringanddodgingbesidethefence，peepingintothebushes，searchingforthebird。Suddenlytherewasawhirofwingsandastreakofcrimson。
\"Scaredyouintothenextcounty，Is’pose，\"hemuttered。
Butitcamenearerbeingascaredmanthanafrightenedbird，fortheCardinalflashedstraighttowardhimuntilonlyafewyardsaway，andthen，swayingonabush，itchipped，cheered，peeked，whistledbrokennotes，andmanifestedperfectdelightatthesightofthewhite—hairedoldman。Abramstaredinastonishment。
\"LordA’mighty!\"hegasped。\"Bigasablackbird，redasalivecoal，an’a—comin’rightatme。Youaresomebody’spet，that’swhatyouare!An’no，youain’teither。Settin’onasawedstickinalittlewirehousetakesallthegingeroutofanybird，an’theirfeathersarealwaysmussy。Insideo’acageneversawyou，fortheyain’tafeatherouto’placeonyou。Youarefiner’napieceo’redsatin。An’yougotthatwayo’
swingin’an’dancin’an’high—steppin’rightoutinGodA’mighty’sbigwoods，ateeterin’inthewind，an’adartin’
’crostthewater。Cagenevertouchedyou!Butyouaresomebody’spetjestthesame。An’Ilookliketheman，an’youaretryin’
totellmeso，bygum!\"