noon
The brown squirrels ran up and down the trees and over the tangled rubbish , chirping merrily ; a few late lingering birds sang little jerky notes of music , and the woodpecker made loud tapping sounds which echoed like the strokes of the woodman 's axe . The air was rich and balmy , -- spiced with cedar , pine , and hemlock , and a thousand unknown odors . The path through this wild of forest was rude and difficult , but the travellers held on their way unflinchingly , -- the horse with unfaltering courage and patience , and his rider with unceasing wonder and delight . At noon they came to a halt , just where the sun looked down golden and cheery on a little dancing rivulet that babbled by the wayside . Here Cæsar received his oats , for which his master had made room in his portmanteau , at the expense , somewhat , of his own convenience . The young man partook of a hearty lunch and resigned himself to dreams of life under the greenwood tree . After an hour 's rest , again in the saddle and on -- on , through recurring scenes of wildness , waste , and beauty .