198 BIRCH BROWSINGS. 



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selves to this line, or follow our own trail back to the 

 spring and the battlement of rocks on the top of the 

 mountain, and thence to the rock where the guide 

 had left us. We decided in favor of the former course. 

 After a march of three quarters of an hour the blazed 

 trees ceased, and we concluded we were near the point 

 at which we had parted with the guide. So we built 

 a fire, laid down our loads, and cast about on all 

 sides for some clew as to our exact locality. Nearly 

 an hour was consumed in this manner and without 

 any result. I came upon a brood of young grouse, 

 which diverted me for a moment. The old one blus- 

 tered about at a furious rate, trying to draw all attention 

 to herself, while the young ones, which were unable to 

 fly, hid themselves. She whined like a dog in great 

 distress, and dragged herself along apparently with 

 the greatest difficulty. As I pursued her, she ran very 

 nimbly, and presently flew a few yards. Then, as I 

 went on, she flew farther and farther each time, till at 

 last she got up, and went humming through the woods 

 as if she had no interest in them. I went back and 

 caught one of the young, which had simply squatted 

 close to the leaves. I took it up and set it on the 

 palm of my hand, which it hugged as closely as if still 

 upon the ground. I then put it in my coatsleeve, when 

 it ran and nestled in my armpit. 



When we met at the sign of the smoke, opinions 

 differed as to the most feasible course. There was no 

 doubt but that we could get out of the woods ; but we 



