"for it so falls out, That what we have we prize not to the worth Whiles we enjoy it; but being lack'd and lost, Why, then we rack the value." Much Ado, iv. 1. I THE LOST LAGOON SOON achieved a position of some eminence by getting to the top of one of the oil tanks, a huge thing like a gasholder, and should have obtained a magnificent view had it not been for the fact that it was now quite dark. The river still held a field of silver light and dim suggestions of ships moved upon its shimmering surface. Towards the land all was black. And then a remarkable thing happened, a thing which I have never been able to explain satisfactorily. Somehow, over against Fobbing-I took a bearing, so I am sure of this direction-a light appeared high up. It was too dark to see where it was. At first I thought it was from an aeroplane flying low, but it did not move. It must have been, I think, on the ridge by the church, the church which shows in the sketch below. It grew brighter and then became dim, but its light shone down and illuminated a piece of marsh-land, so that it appeared as part of some enchanted THE MARSHES AT THAMES HAVEN. ༦.༠. country. You know what fairy-like effects the headlight of a car can create when driving through a flat stretch of road at night. I think this light must have been some unusually powerful headlight, but it was so directed that its effect was absolutely magical. THE LONELY LITTLE HOUSE, SHELL HAVEN MARSHES. There lay a beautiful lagoon, the like of which, with its green margin and reed-fringed islands, I have never seen. Then the picture faded and darkness reigned. I have searched |