244 Trails to Woods and Waters 



black ash always grows in a moist spot, so I 

 presume you will find either a small brook or 

 a spring somewhere near." 



It was only a few rods away, almost within 

 sight of our prospective camp, so I hurried 

 off, glad that Ben had thought me capable of 

 doing an important part of getting our first 

 camp ready. 



The black ashes proved to be on moist land, 

 as Ben had predicted, but there was no well 

 defined waterway, although the ground was 

 soft and swampy. 



I circled about, quartering like a fox hound, 

 as Ben had taught me to do when looking for 

 anything in the woods, but no spring could I 

 find. I was loath to give up and be beaten in 

 this my first attempt in helping, but finally 

 was obliged to turn back without having dis- 

 covered water. 



I had gone but a few rods from camp, or 

 so it seemed to me, and was quite sure of the 

 direction back to my starting point. 



I hastened, for it was getting towards twi- 

 light, and long black shadows were already 



