LE LONG DU SENTIER 



of exploration is planned; presently, 

 when all are ready, we shall tighten our 

 belts and be off. A few yards away, our 

 half dozen Frenchmen are washing up 

 by the fire, with much clattering of 

 tongues and tinware. The chores at- 

 tended to, they will sing a woodland 

 mass, and enjoy a day of idleness. The 

 parson of our party suggests a short 

 service, but it is late and we have far to 

 go ; so by way of compromise or conces- 

 sion a hymn is proposed. At the first 

 words we remove our hats, but the line 

 is not completed before one of the 

 Frenchmen nudges another, he another, 

 the word passes. Instantly they are un- 

 covered, the work abandoned, standing 

 silent and bowed till the last of the old 

 cadences dies, and the voice of the 

 rapid again fills the air. The words they 

 do not understand, the tune is not famil- 

 iar, but they discern an intention to 

 approach the great Pow r er above us all, 



242 



