Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/178

 130 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY fitting unison. We were not the only auditors. The powerful voice of the singer had penetrated far into the surrounding woods. Hearers had learned when to enjoy the pleasure and would silently approach the camp without their presence being known, that they might more clearly appreciate the beauty of the song. A religious feeling was aroused, and the hearts of the community were in sympathy with Brother Shaffer. On Sunday morning all the inmates of the camp were on their way to the place of meeting, and it appeared that the entire population was in motion. By the roads, footpaths, and through the woods they came, until the house was full and groups standing on the outside. The speaker gave them a discourse suited to their wants. The grand old woods and the crystal Avaters came in as blessings which should be thankfully acknowledged in their devotions to God, together with the sustenance and pleasure derived therefrom. The re- marks were appreciated, and I will venture that seed Avas sown there that time will not smother, nor the germinal principal decay, without bringing forth much fruit. "After the sermon all the fishing party returned to camp, with the exception of our clerical friend, who was requested to stay and conduct the exercises of the class and Sunday school. In course of the afternoon. Webster and myself took a stroll on the hillside back of our camp, where the river, running a few yards from the path, at the base of the hill, was plainly visible in the interval between the trees. The pools of water were as calm as the sleep of an infant. The quieting influence of the day ap- peared to have affected the inmates of the waters, and their usual lively demonstrations were sobered down to a gentle motion of their fins to keep them in suspension in their liquid element. A cosy shelf on the hillside invited a rest and we sat down to enjoy the scene. Anon a ripple in the stream attracted attention. 'Twas not larger than that caused by a drop of rain. Nothing was said, but my eyes were riveted on the spot. 'Twas repeated and in the same place. I saw that I should fall into temptation, to avoid which I ingloriously fled. AVhat Webster saw, I know not, but when he returned to camp his eyes had a prominence and convexity that indicated haying 'seen sights,' and his manner that of a high state of nervous excitement. I said he returned. He did, but he disappeared again, in a state of mind that caused serious apprehension on the part of his friends. In a short time Shaffer arrived, and selecting a tufty, shady spot, threw himself prone on the ground, discoursing pleasantly of the happiness he felt in having been allowed to minister to the wants of a people so much in need of gospel teaching and so willing to receive it. I heard him, and cordially was with him in spirit, but my eyes