138 WITH GUN AND GUIDE 



my way up to the dam blindfolded. Lost ? No in- 

 deed ; we'll soon be there. I'm just taking you by a 

 short cut." 



They noted, however, that he was steering them in 

 all directions of the compass, that he was nervous, and 

 wanted to keep a considerable distance ahead of them. 

 He had a habit of talking to himself, and as his perplex- 

 ities increased he talked louder and yet louder and 

 finally the ladies heard him say, " Where in hell am I, 

 anyway ? " 



" What's that you are saying, Abe ? " asked the aunt. 



" Oh, nothing, ma'am ; I have a tooth that's hurting 

 me, and I hardly know what I'm saying." 



A few more turnings and then clear and distinct came 

 the words, " Blamed if I'm not lost ! " 



" Abe, do you say we are lost ? " 



"Oh, no, not me. I couldn't get lost if I tried. 

 Now, don't you go and get nervous. I'm all right, you 

 can bet." 



He now changed his course and worked his way down 

 to the stream, along whose shores he led them by a 

 tortuous path through high grass, and at certain places 

 they had to cross and recross the brook, thus getting 

 more or less of a wetting. 



The trip to the dam was finally achieved. Their pe- 

 dometers showed that he had made them cover fourteen 

 miles in place of twelve, as formerly registered when 

 they were not lost. 



