180 BOONEVILLE TO SARATOGA. 



mornino; and during the day, — when John was absent, — all 

 combining fo niidvc mc shake off the lethargy of hixury and 

 go forth to new tields and fortunes. 



It was a delicate matter; but one day I unpacked mj^ big 

 bundle and brought forth to John's gaze the tent I had 

 l)rought, and the camp-stove — Hat as a pan-cake — that I 

 had with much self-gratulation, invented and caused to be 

 constructed; and then, diving down into the depths of the 

 navy-bag, brouglit forth also the tin pail which contained 

 a complete " kit " for stove and table. I' spread them all 

 out before him. John looked at them, and I looked at 

 John, awaiting in silence his verdict. Of course it was my 

 right to order my own coming and going, and his, too; but 

 I loved John, and I wanted to please him, and did not 

 want to drag an unwilling guide through the woods, what- 

 ever my rights were. He said not a word, but I saw that 

 the hope he had cherished had gone out of his heart. I 

 thought I perceived, also, a respectful and internal sniff at 

 my pet and pride, the wonderful camp-stove. However, 

 it was at length agreed that the next morning we should 

 pack up and l^cgin (jvn- wandci-ings. 



It was half-past ten o'clock when John put the big key 

 over the door and before we were tinally oft" — we three, and 

 our entire luggage consisting of house and home as well as 

 food-supply and personal effects, all stowed snugly away 

 in John's boat. It w-as like leaving home. And the good 

 roof and comfortable l)eds, the verandah with its memories 

 of evening chats, the shady pines and spruces and hemlocks, 

 the knolls and grass-plots where we had lounged, the 



