A LONG DEER HUNT. 3] 7 



resort for deer, and to it we directed our steps ; but 

 before we had gone half the distance, we came across 

 numerous tracks, so fresh that we kept a sharp look- 

 out in all directions, hoping every moment to be grati- 

 fied with the sight of some an tiered monarch. Failing 

 in this, we changed our tactics, friend Will posting me 

 on the margin of a branch of the swamp, with my back 

 against the butt of a tree, with instructions to remain 

 still and keep a sharp look-out, while he would take a 

 tour around, and possibly drive some stragglers across 

 the run which my stand commanded. Slowly, after 

 Will started, the time passed ; the forest appeared per- 

 fectly deserted ; not a squirrel or bird showed itself to 

 break the monotony, except an angry, squabbling 

 family of woodpeckers, who appeared to have some 

 serious disagreement in reference to the possession of a 

 hole in the trunk of a dead giant tree. Wet feet are 

 never conducive to comfort, and much less so when you 

 are prevented from taking exercise ; besides, it was 

 bitterly cold. First I stood on one leg, then on the 

 other, after the manner of geese, which birds I began 

 to consider I much resembled, till at last the inaction 

 became so unendurable that I was very nearly taking 

 up my gun and starting in pursuit of my supposed 

 recreant friend. 



As I was about to put my resolution in practice, I 



