38 Dog-Trotting for Orchids 



purple and white shades, found iu cedar swamps and on 

 the drier hillsides in mixed wood, of pine, chestnut, 

 and birch. Truth to tell, I was not familiar with the 

 appearance of the plant, nor did I know at what date 

 to search for the blossoms. 



After leaving Lorenna, I followed the road home- 

 ward, reaching Mount CEta at six o'clock, somewhat 

 dusty and ragged and tired. Old Bonny and the buggy 

 were now suggested as assistants in my trips, when the 

 folk observed my load of herbs and flowers. But bog- 

 trotting in a buggy is certainly beyond the limits of my 

 imagination. It did, however, at that tired moment 

 seem a favorable project, for Bonny and the buggy 

 could wait for me by the roadside while I plunged into 

 the marshes to secure my treasures. 



It is true, as Thoreau writes: "we are but faint- 

 hearted crusaders, even the walkers, nowadays, who 

 undertake no persevering, never-ending enterprises. 

 Our expeditions are but tours, and come round again 

 at evening to the old hearth-side, from which we set 

 out. Half the walk is but retracing our steps." ' 

 ' Thoreau, "Walking," Excursions, p. 252. 



