252 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND FRAIRIE. 



a disease, and energy is not to moulder and die, a man's whole- 

 desire is for object and action — and even a harvester's toil 

 seems an enviable and worthier lot. 



Now to shake ourselves clear of inertia, now to light upon- 

 our feet, and enter the cool green wood, was in itself a welcome- 

 change — a move into action of some sort, a grip of the hand 

 with Nature, and a throwing off, in some degree, of burdensome- 

 sloth. Another forester stepped out of the shade, gun in hand,, 

 doffed his cap to his superior and the strangers, proffered 

 information or suggestion, and piloted us into the covert — a 

 lowlying forest of oak and beach, acacia and ash, having under- 

 wood of similar growth and narrow rides and glades of moist,, 

 green grass. 



Under his direction the oberjager, leaving the others hid at 

 a little distance, would place me now and again in some leafy- 

 ambush having a space more or less clear of covert to our front,, 

 while he stood behind and brought his call into play. Bla-a 

 sounded the whistle, like a child's toy, every thirty seconds — 

 the old forester's cheeks expanding audibly, and your humble 

 servant, not without a twinge of shame at the whole process,, 

 standing eagerly at the " ready," with every sense alert and 

 every feature a prey to the hungry mosquitoes. Surely no- 

 battle between duty and inclination, no fight between what 

 one ought and what one wished to do, ever called for severer 

 strength of mind than this struggle between the necessity for 

 intense quiet and the distraction of these heartless, bloodthirsty 

 insects. 



At times it seemed unbearable. You know it well — any 

 who have ever watched the jungle by moonlight, or have- 

 even stood at attention on parade with a fly on your nose 

 But bla-at he never so coaxingly, charm he never so wisely,, 

 and shift our ground as often as we woidd, no sign of roebuck 

 or of living beast (save the mocking of the jay) was forthcoming,, 

 while two hours stole by, and the old grenadier ejaculated with 

 increasing gutturalness and impatience, as he left each lair. I 

 lit my pipe, for the double purpose of soothing myself and 



