WILD STRAWBERRIES. 203 



where we determined to halt. After doing so fair a 

 journey from last night's resting-place to this day's 

 camp, I still felt so desirous of more exercise, that I 

 took a cast to the eastward of our intended course 

 on the morrow, to see what game was on the move. 

 I never felt the air more invigorating, every breath 

 bringing renewed energy and a desire for further 

 work. In fact I possessed that sensation which is 

 so graphically expressed by the American when he 

 says, f I feel all here/ I knew full well that I was 

 in splendid shooting fettle, and that no deer which 

 offered me anything like a fair shot would go off 

 scatheless. I felt assured, indeed, that I could not 

 only hit it, but almost place my lead in what part of 

 the carcase I desired. 



The walking was particularly good, the soil firm 

 but springy, and the landscape presented a varied 

 picture. The small timber was broken up into 

 numerous detached clumps. Where the ground was 

 open and grassy wild strawberry-plants were coming 

 up in the utmost profusion, and in some places they 

 were packed so closely that I frequently wished it 

 had been later in the season that I might have 

 enjoyed an abundant feed of them. We all know 

 what a favourite the cultivated berry is ; but these 

 little wild ones are infinitely superior in delicacy 

 of flavour. 



When ascending the gradual slope of a dip in the 

 land, I was induced to look to the left by hearing 

 such a noise as might be occasioned by an animal 



