98 ADVENTURES IN THE WILDERNESS. 



tlie settlements." " It is n't anything to wliat I 

 could clo if the room was only larger, is it ? " said 

 he, appealing to me. " No ; this room is terribly 

 cramped," I responded, thinking of my narrow 

 escape, and fearful that he might repeat the per- 

 formance; "no educated dancer can do himself 

 justice in it ; I would not try again, if I were in 

 your place." 



At this point of the entertainment a delightful 

 addition was made to the party. Certain messen- 

 gers, who started early in the evening on horses 

 and in boats, had scoured the country and lake 

 shore, and returned accompanied by a bevy of 

 young ladies. Their entrance caused great com- 

 motion. Hubbard glanced uneasily at his un- 

 polished boots. Burns had fished a pair of old 

 kids from the depth of his hunting-shirt pocket, 

 and w^as inspecting their condition behind South- 

 wick's back. Everitt suddenly discovered that he 

 could keep his seat without the use of three chairs. 

 The Parson brightened up at the prospect that his 

 philippic against dancing, and the "promiscuous 

 mingling of the sexes," might yet be delivered 

 with effect. There w^as a dead pause. All w^ere 

 introduced to the ladies, each guide presenting 

 " his man." Uncle Palmer's benignant face ap- 

 peared at the door, looking perfectly jubilant. 



Here the writer would gladly pause. He feels 

 that the narration has proceeded far enough. 



