CHAP. ix. THE FLOCK OF SANDERLINGS. 175 



one remembers some confused ideas, this blank in his 

 mental life was never filled up, and the purpose for 

 which he wandered along the sands left little further 

 impression upon his memory. He remembered, how- 

 ever, the following circumstances : 



He had thrown off his hat, coat, and waistcoat, 

 before rushing into the sea ; when a flock of sander- 

 lings lit upon the sands near him. They attracted 

 his attention. They were running to and fro, some 

 piping their low shrill whistle, whilst others were 

 probing the wet sand with their bills as the waves 

 receded. But amongst them was another bird, larger 

 and darker, and apparently of different habits to the 

 others. Desirous of knowing something of the nature 

 of this bird, he approached the sanderlings. They 

 rose and flew away. He followed them. They lit 

 again, and again he observed the birds as before. 

 Away they went, and he after them. At length 

 he was stopped at Don mouth. When he recovered 

 his consciousness, he was watching the flock of birds 

 flying away to the farther side of the river. He had 

 forgotten all his miseries in his intense love of nature. 

 His ruling passion saved him. 



How long the chase lasted he never could tell 

 It must have occupied him more than an hour. He 

 found himself divested of his hat, coat, and vest ; 

 and he went back to look for them. He had no 

 further desire to carry out the purpose for which he 

 had descended to the sea. His only thought was 



