25 



ployment for the whole. Accordingly^ about the heghmip"- 



i3 



of Augustj the huntsman Is dispatched on his important mis- 

 sion, and if the owner be employed on his own ground, this 

 is seldom a work of much labour or difficulty. He cuts his 

 way into the most elevated situation among the thickest 

 woods^ where he chmhs the tallest tree he can find^ and 

 thence minutely surveys the surrounding country. At this 

 season the leaves of the mahogany tree are invariably of a 

 yellow-reddish hue; and an eye accustomed to this kind 

 of exercise can^ at a great distance^ discern the places where 

 the wood is most abundant. To such a spot are his steps 

 directed ; and without compass or other guide than what his 

 recollection affords^ he never fails to reach the exact, point at 

 which he alms. On some occasions no ordinary stratagem 

 IS necessary to be resorted to by the huntsman^ to prevent 

 others from availing themselves of the advantage of his dis- 

 coveries ; for if his steps be traced by those who may be en- 



M _ 



gaged in the same pursuit^ which is a very common occur- 

 rence^ all his ingenuity must be exerted to beguile them 

 from the true scent. In thls^ however^ he is not always 

 successful^ being followed by those who are entirely aware of 

 the arts he may use, and whose eyes are so qulck^ that the 

 lightest turn of a leaf or the faintest impression of a foot is 

 unerringly perceived ; even the dried leaves which may be 

 strewed upon the ground^ often help to conduct to the secret 

 spot ; and it consequently happens that persons so engaged 

 must frequently undergo the disappointment of finding an 

 advantage they had promised to themselves, seized on by 

 others. The hidden treasure being, however, detected, the 

 next operation is the felling of a sufficient number of trees 

 to employ the gang during the season. The mahogany tree 

 is commonly cut about ten or twelve feet from the ground^ a 

 stage being erected for the axeman employed in levelling it : 

 this^ to an observer^ would appear a labour of much danger ; 



