Out of the Woods. 215 



marshes, and walking directly towards them, like pointers 

 advancing on a covey of partridges, we at last, to our 

 great joy, descried the light of the beacon near St. Au- 

 gustine. My dog began to run briskly around, and hav- 

 ing met with ground on which he had hunted before, and 

 taking a direct course, led us to the great causeway that 

 crosses the marshes at the back of the town. We re- 

 freshed ourselves with the produce of the first orange-tree 

 that we met with, and in half an hour more arrived at our 

 hotel. Drenched with rain, steaming with perspiration, 

 and covered to the knees with mud, you may imagine 

 what figures we cut in the eyes of the good people whom 

 we found snugly enjoying themselves in the sitting-room. 

 Next morning Major Gates, who had received me with 

 much kindness, sent a waggon with mules and two trusty 

 soldiers for my companion and the luggage." 



