LE LONG DU SENTIER 



capacity, for twelve steady hours ; at six 

 o'clock we staggered out on the shore of 

 a long lake. Nepton then incurably ill, 

 poor chap, though we did not know it, 

 dropped his immense pack with a sigh 

 of relief, and cast his practised eye 

 about for tent poles, firewood, balsam. 



"Hold on, Nepton, the lake is calm, 

 to-morrow we may not be able to cross 

 it; two hours' paddle and we will reach 

 a better camp-ground." 



" Is it not then your intention I 

 thought Hoorah, mes gargons, Mon- 

 sieur dit que nous allons camper la has. 

 Embarquez! Embarquez!" 



Very welcome was the news that no 

 power would stir us from the spot, and 

 even this ill-timed jest was not denied 

 its laugh. 



Services are given which money can- 

 not buy, and are offered without thought 

 of reward. A drive of forty miles long 

 hills, hard roads, rotten bridges, was 

 in prospect, with a cliarretier who was 



259 



