6 THE ADVENTURES OF A NATURE GUIDE 



my slow and hesitating advance? Across the 

 snow did the shadow of a soaring eagle coast and 

 circle? 



I must have wandered far from the direct course 

 to timberline. Again and again I swung my staff 

 to right and left hoping to strike a tree. I had 

 travelled more than twice as long as it should have 

 taken to reach timberline before I stood face to 

 face with a low -growing tree that bristled up 

 through the deep snow. But had I come out at the 

 point for which I aimed — at the trail? This was 

 the vital question. 



The deep snow buried all trail blazes. Making 

 my way from tree to tree I thrust an arm deep into 

 the snow and felt of the bark, searching for a trail 

 blaze. At last I found a blaze and going on a few- 

 steps I dug down again in the snow and examined 

 a tree which I felt should mark the trail. This, too, 

 was blazed. 



Feeling certain that I was on the trail I went 

 down the mountain through the forest for some 

 minutes without searching for another blaze. When 

 I did examine a number of trees not another blaze 

 could I find. The topography since entering the 

 forest and the size and character of the trees were 

 such that I felt I was on familiar ground. But 

 going on a few steps I came out on the edge of an 

 unknown rocky cliff. I was now lost as well as 

 blind. 



During the hours I had wandered in reaching 



