After the first turn of the narrow track the close foliage of the firs, through which nothing could be seen, shut out the world with green walls.

The strip of blue sky visible above was wider than the path, because the trees sloped away somewhat, their branches shortening towards the top; still it was so contracted that a passing woodpigeon was seen but for a second as he went over.

Every step carried me into deeper silence--the sudden call of a jay was startling in its harsh contrast.

Presently the path widened where the thickly planted firs were succeeded by sycamores, horse-chestnuts, alders, and aspen--trees which stand farther apart, and beneath which some underwood grew.

Here there were thickets of hawthorn and bramble and elder bushes which can find no place among firs.
The ground now sloped rapidly down into a hollow, and upon this descent numbers of skeleton leaves were scattered.