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Cheer！〃 and after that it was only a short time until he was on
his way toward the shining river。 It was better than before； and
every following day found him feasting in the corn field and
bathing in the shining water； but he always returned to his
family at nightfall。
When black frosts began to strip the Limberlost； and food was
almost reduced to dry seed； there came a day on which the king
marshalled his followers and gave the magic signal。 With dusk he
led them southward； mile after mile； until their breath fell
short； and their wings ached with unaccustomed flight； but
because of the trips to the river； the Cardinal was stronger than
the others； and he easily kept abreast of the king。 In the early
morning； even before the robins were awake； the king settled in
the Everglades。 But the Cardinal had lost all liking for swamp
life； so he stubbornly set out alone； and in a short time he had
found another river。 It was not quite so delightful as the
shining river； but still it was beautiful； and on its gently
sloping bank was an orange orchard。 There the Cardinal rested；
and found a winter home after his heart's desire。
The following morning； a golden…haired little girl and an old man
with snowy locks came hand in hand through the orchard。 The
child saw the redbird and immediately claimed him； and that same
day the edict went forth that a very dreadful time was in store
for any one who harmed or even frightened the Cardinal。 So in
security began a series of days that were pure delight。 The
orchard was alive with insects； attracted by the heavy odours；
and slugs infested the bark。 Feasting was almost as good as in
the Limberlost； and always there was the river to drink from and
to splash in at will。
In those days the child and the old man lingered for hours in the
orchard； watching the bird that every day seemed to grow bigger
and brighter。 What a picture his coat； now a bright cardinal
red； made against the waxy green leaves！ How big and brilliant
he seemed as he raced and darted in play among the creamy
blossoms！ How the little girl stood with clasped hands
worshipping him； as with swelling throat he rocked on the highest
spray and sang his inspiring chorus over and over： 〃Good Cheer！
Good Cheer！〃 Every day they came to watch and listen。 They
scattered crumbs； and the Cardinal grew so friendly that he
greeted their coming with a quick 〃Chip！ Chip！〃 while the
delighted child tried to repeat it after him。 Soon they became
such friends that when he saw them approaching he would call
softly 〃Chip！ Chip！〃 and then with beady eyes and tilted head
await her reply。
Sometimes a member of his family from the Everglades found his
way into the orchard； and the Cardinal； having grown to feel a
sense of proprietorship； resented the intrusion and pursued him
like a streak of flame。 Whenever any straggler had this
experience； he returned to the swamp realizing that the Cardinal
of the orange orchard was almost twice his size and strength； and
so startlingly red as to be a wonder。
One day a gentle breeze from the north sprang up and stirred the
orange branches； wafting the heavy perfume across the land and
out to sea； and spread in its stead a cool； delicate； pungent
odour。 The Cardinal lifted his head and whistled an inquiring
note。 He was not certain； and went on searching for slugs； and
predicting happiness in full round notes： 〃Good Cheer！ Good
Cheer！〃 Again the odour swept the orchard； so strong that this
time there was no mistaking it。 The Cardinal darted to the
topmost branch； his crest flaring； his tail twitching nervously。
〃Chip！ Chip！〃 he cried with excited insistence； 〃Chip！ Chip！〃
The breeze was coming stiffly and steadily now； unlike anything
the Cardinal ever had known； for its cool breath told of
ice…bound fields breaking up under the sun。 Its damp touch was
from the spring showers washing the face of the northland。 Its
subtle odour was the commingling of myriads of unfolding leaves
and crisp plants； upspringing； its pungent perfume was the pollen
of catkins。
Up in the land of the Limberlost； old Mother Nature； with
strident muttering； had set about her annual house cleaning。
With her efficient broom； the March wind； she was sweeping every
nook and cranny clean。 With her scrub…bucket overflowing with
April showers； she was washing the face of all creation； and if
these measures failed to produce cleanliness to her satisfaction；
she gave a final polish with storms of hail。 The shining river
was filled to overflowing； breaking up the ice and carrying a
load of refuse； it went rolling to the sea。 The ice and snow had
not altogether gone； but the long…pregnant earth was mothering
her children。 She cringed at every step； for the ground was
teeming with life。 Bug and worm were working to light and
warmth。 Thrusting aside the mold and leaves above them； spring
beauties； hepaticas； and violets lifted tender golden…green
heads。 The sap was flowing； and leafless trees were covered with
swelling buds。 Delicate mosses were creeping over every stick of
decaying timber。 The lichens on stone and fence were freshly
painted in unending shades of gray and green。 Myriads of flowers
and vines were springing up to cover last year's decaying leaves。
〃The beautiful uncut hair of graves〃 was creeping over meadow；
spreading beside roadways； and blanketing every naked spot。
The Limberlost was waking to life even ahead of the fields and
the river。 Through the winter it had been the barest and
dreariest of places； but now the earliest signs of returning
spring were in its martial music； for when the green hyla pipes；
and the bullfrog drums； the bird voices soon join them。 The
catkins bloomed first； and then； in an incredibly short time；
flags； rushes； and vines were like a sea of waving green； and
swelling buds were ready to burst。 In the upland the smoke was
curling over sugar…camp and clearing； in the forests animals were
rousing from their long sleep； the shad were starting anew their
never…ending journey up the shining river； peeps of green were
mantling hilltop and valley； and the northland was ready for its
dearest springtime treasures to come home again。
From overhead were ringing those first glad notes； caught nearer
the Throne than those of any other bird； 〃Spring o' year！ Spring
o' year！〃； while stilt…legged little killdeers were scudding
around the Limberlost and beside the river； flinging from
cloudland their 〃Kill deer！ Kill deer！〃 call。 The robins in the
orchards were pulling the long dried blades of last year's grass
from beneath the snow to line their mud…walled cups； and the
bluebirds were at the hollow apple tree。 Flat on the top rail；
the doves were gathering their few coarse sticks and twigs
together。 It was such a splendid place to set their cradle。 The
weatherbeaten； rotting old rails were the very colour of the busy
dove mot