66 WILD SPORTS IN THE FAB WEST. 



me ? To put an end to the uncertainty I hurried on, 

 particularly as my right road lay in that direction, and 

 soon I stood before a burning forest, blazing up glo- 

 riously in the dark night, making the background 

 still darker, and giving a ghost-like appearance to the 

 trees on the right and left. This new scene was too 

 wonderful and imposing for me to hurry past it ; so 1 

 sat down on one of the fallen scorched trunks to 

 enjoy the awfully sublime prospect. I may have 

 remained sitting looking on for about half an hour, 

 when, about twenty paces from me, a blazing oak fell 

 with a heavy hollow sound, sending glowing charcoal, 

 burning branches, and thousands of sparks in all 

 directions. This was rather too near to be pleasant, 

 so I turned to seek another road through the forest, 

 which appeared now so much darker than before, on 

 account of the brilliant light I had just been gazing 

 on. 



There seemed to be no end to the forest, and I began 

 to think that the mill existed only in the good fanner's 

 imagination, when I heard a sound of rushing water, 

 and, later, the lowing of a cow. I turned off in the 

 direction of the sound, first taking the precaution to 

 light a fire, that I might retrace my steps in case I lost 

 my way. About half a mile brought me within sight 

 of a dwelling ; on coming nearer I discovered a mill- 

 dam, and several cows standing alxmt the fence saluted 

 the new comer with a long-drawn friendly low. I 

 joyfully shook the dust from my feet, and knocked at 

 the low door : all was as silent as the grave. I knocked 

 again nothing moved no voice culled a welcome 

 4< come in." After knocking three times, I wa* at'cu<- 



