16 THE VICINITY OF RIVERS. 



out more gaily and appear more happy, even 

 mustering courage to pluck the herbage as they 

 advance. 



To-day I am satisfied with my progress. The 

 position I have reached is eminently suited for 

 camping, as a stream purls by in close proximity 

 and fuel is abundant, while the shelter is all that 

 can be desired. Although the sun had not passed 

 the meridian more than an hour, I determined to 

 halt, and give self and nags a long rest. As I 

 could not, however, sleep through the intervening 

 space between this and night, and my ponies did not 

 require attention, for I knew when they had satisfied 

 their appetites they would return to the smouldering 

 camp-fire, I determined to explore the neighbour- 

 hood, and, if chance offered me an opportunity, to 

 add to my low stock of provisions. 



Wherever there is a brook or river, almost all 

 descriptions of animal life are to be found most 

 abundant in its vicinity ; so I directed my steps 

 in the direction from which the murmuring of 

 rapid-running water appeared to emanate. Having 

 reached a rivulet, I followed its course for a mile or 

 more. The further I progressed along its margin 

 the more it appeared to expand, and to lose its pre- 

 viously rapid and precipitous character. At length 

 its neighbourhood became so swampy, that I had 

 to make a considerable detour to obtain walkable 

 ground. Suddenly I reached a spot where the 

 stunted cedars and hemlocks that had encircled me 



