288 



THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



should ever be compelled to make a practice of 

 getting up before daybreak, as I had done on this 

 memorable occasion. 



I have heard Americans say in the Western 

 States, when they were similarly outwitted, that 

 they have felt like a skunk. Never having been 

 a skunk, I do not know how that small animal feels 

 when he has failed in his efforts to catch his prey, 

 but that I felt extremely insignificant there cannot 

 be the remotest doubt. And when I thought of 

 the nut-brown lassie on the edge of Clyde, and of 

 the impossible gift that I could ne'er bestow on 

 her, I got riled, and did the most probable deed 

 under the circumstances that could be expected 

 shut my glasses with a slam, perfectly indifferent 

 whether I smashed them or not, and forthwith 

 started for my mare. 



On my way back to my beast, I brooded much 

 over the mutability of human affairs ; but, strange 

 to say, that interesting study did not prevent my 

 making safe and rapid progress over the rough 

 ground I had to traverse ; in fact, I must have 

 been like one intoxicated, that finds the pavement 

 too narrow for his progress, yet can find his way 



