222 INCESSANT SHOWERS. 



London to whom one occasionally throws an odd 

 copper, for I was perfectly drenched with rain which 

 poured down in incessant showers. Who has not 

 noticed the numerous little streams of water that 

 flow from a thickly-coated water-spaniel immediately 

 after he makes his exit from a river or pond ? Al- 

 though I did not possess the same facilities for 

 collecting the descending streams, I feel assured 

 that the volume of water which came out over my 

 feet was quite equal in the aggregate. In fact, my 

 clothes were a reservoir filled to overflowing, and 

 only requiring to be squeezed or shaken to make 

 their contents run out abundantly. The hemlock- 

 trees and the white pine had drunk more than their 

 fill of rain, and the excess that could not be absorbed 

 by them was glistening from every branch. Each 

 sough of the wind threw a heavy shower of the 

 drops over the surrounding ground. Unwelcome, 

 however, as was the task in such weather, food had 

 to be obtained, and that could be done only by 

 searching for it. So, with the locks of my gun as 

 well protected with wrapping as could be, and 

 carrying that valuable companion at the secure, I 

 started eastward, being particular to note the ' lie * 

 of the country and the principal landmarks, the 

 better to prevent my losing my way. 



To the backwoodsman and hunter nothing is of 

 greater importance than a natural talent for acquir- 

 ing a knowledge of locality, for in the wild lands over 

 which they roam it is a most serious matter to lose 



