IKotes of tbc IFUgbt 



The foot mechanically recognizes a slight sloping 

 of the ground, but the brain interprets the full 

 meaning of the conditions, and we know that the 

 brook is not far away, and we listen for the sound 

 of flowing water. Of course, we must be in some 

 familiar locality. It is madness to ramble in a 

 strange place in absolute darkness. When such a 

 necessity occurs, the realization of danger is so 

 intense that the senses are paralyzed rather than 

 quickened. But mistakes sometimes happen 

 even when we know the ground. The most 

 trivial incident at the outset may set at fault our 

 orientation, and with great confidence we move 

 along in a direction opposite to that which we 

 proposed to take. The result is readily foreseen. 

 When we expect to find ourselves at a given 

 point, as at the margin of an open meadow, we 

 suddenly find ourselves in collision with a tree. 

 Then a condition of bewilderment ensues that 

 nothing but light can remove. Striking a match, 

 it is probable that we can discover our position, 

 and, with regained confidence, retrace our steps. 

 It is very seldom so dark, however, that such ex- 

 peditions are practicable, and under the most 

 favorable circumstances there is too little to be 

 gained to warrant running the unavoidable risks 

 incident to positive absence of light. We are 

 groping in the dark much of our lives, but in an- 

 other sense, and let this suffice for the literal one 

 to which I have referred. 

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