526 THE FOREST AND THE FIELD. 



scythe and the hour-glass, for I met with several 

 genial companions whose tastes assimilated with 

 my own ; and, as we are all more or less creatures 

 of impulse, and there seems to be a certain subtle 

 agency or magnetic influence by which our feelings 

 become communicated to each other, I was truly 

 happy. 



By a stroke of good fortune I stumbled across 

 an old friend, Herbert L'Estrange, who had served 

 in the Confederate cavalry during the war, and had 

 borne an active part in many of Stewart's raids, 

 and we agreed to have a cruise together amongst 

 the mountains. A day being devoted to prepara- 

 tion for the trip, alpenstocks were got ; arms, 

 ammunition, and portable cooking-canteen looked 

 to, and some tins of pdtS de fois gras and rice 

 bought, in case of any scarcity of provisions en 

 route. Leaving our heavier baggage at the hotel, 

 we only took with us a few changes of under- 

 clothing, light mackintosh cloaks, and travelling- 

 rugs, with three of Cording's waterproof blankets, 

 without which I never travel, as they form the best 

 substitute either for tents or bedding. 



