During the long bright days of February
they made several excursions on the lake, and likewise explored some of the
high hills to the eastward. On this ridge there were few large trees; but
it was thickly clothed with scrub oaks, slender poplars, and here and there
fine pines, and picturesque free-growing oaks of considerable size and
great age--patriarchs, they might be termed, among the forest growth.
[Footnote: One of these hoary monarchs of the Oak-lulls still stands at the
head of the lawn at Oaklands, formerly the property of Mr, W. Falkner, now
the residence of the Authoress.] Over this romantic range of hill and
dale, free as the air they breathed, roamed many a gallant herd of deer,
unmolested unless during certain seasons when the Indians came to hunt over
these hills. Surprised at the different growth of the oaks on this side the
plains, Hector could not help expressing his astonishment to Indiana, who
told him that it was caused by the custom that her people had had from time
immemorial of setting fire to the bushes in the early part of spring.
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