The trees retreated as I went, and the grass grew thicker.
Presently the forest was gone, and a wide expanse of loveliest green stretched away to the horizon.

Through it, along the edge of the forest, flowed a small river, and to this the track led.

At sight of the water a new though undefined hope sprang up in me.

The stream looked everywhere deep, and was full to the brim, but nowhere more than a few yards wide.
A bluish mist rose from it, vanishing as it rose.

On the opposite side, in the plentiful grass, many small animals were feeding.