272 WILD SPOUTS IN THE FAR WEST. 



we doubted its truth. He told the most absurd stories 

 of what he had seen and experienced, and flew into 

 the most violent passions it' the least doubt was mani- 

 fested. Thus passed the afternoon. When it was dark 

 C. and I took our firepan to try our luek once more. 

 We went southwards towards the hills, in the first in- 

 stance, and then turned to the westward, the stars 

 shining brightly ; but gradually thick clouds began to 

 appear, and some flashes of lightning were visible. 

 We continued walking in the same direction without 

 seeing any deer, and may have gone on about three 

 quarters of an hour when we came to a clearing. Look- 

 ing upwards to find our way by the stars, we saw, to our 

 horror, that the whole sky was one mass of black clouds. 

 I had now left my compass at home, the wind blew in 

 violent gusts, and thunder in the distance kindly gave 

 us notice that a storm was approaching. 



Nothing is easier than to lose one's way in the forest 

 by torchlight ; for the lire lights up only a few paces 

 around, giving a peculiar appearance to the trees, and 

 all beyond thirty yards is the blackest darkness, and all 

 points of the compass look alike. I now recollected that 

 when I last carried the pan (for we took it in turn<), T 

 had observed it was lightning under the north star, 

 which was not then covered by clouds, and we con- 

 cluded that the storm must have advanced towards the, 

 east. A heavy clap of thunder informed us that we 

 had no time to lose; so we beat our retreat, keeping 

 the lightning on the left hand. We mav have been 

 about, two miles from C'tirly's house; the lightning 

 c.'ime quicker and brighter, the thunder louder, and we 

 lied like two ghosts with our waving llame, when by 



