A STARVED COMPANY. 147 



though at the time not more than two miles distant, 

 in a straight line, from its base. We rowed six miles 

 and landed with its blue top in clear view — then 

 took the direction with our pocket compasses, and 

 started off. One who had been to the summit before 

 acted as guide, but after circling round one or two 

 swamps, and falling unconsciously out of our way, by 

 following ridges that seemed to go in the direction we 

 wished, we found ourselves wholly at loss. Hills and 

 swamps, and a dense forest on every side, completely 

 obstructed our view, and we stumbled on hour after 

 hour, and ascended two mountains, before we could 

 finally get another glimpse of the one we were after. 

 "We breakfasted about six in the morning, and had left 

 our fishing-tackle on the shore, where we expected to 

 be again by noon, and take some trout for dinner — 

 but it was half-past three when we reached the top of 

 this mountain, making nine hours of the most des- 

 perate toil ; with nothing to eat, and, what was worse, 

 with no prospect of getting anything till we should 

 again reach our boats. The doctor was in perfect 

 despair, and declared he could not return without 

 food. As a last resort, he took from his pocket a 

 piece of venison he had brought along for trout bait, 



