XXIV 



A RAINY DAY IN CAMP 



The plans of the camper, like those of 

 other men, "gang aft agley." The mor- 

 row, which he proposed to devote to some 

 long-desired hunting or fishing trip, is no 

 more apt to dawn propitiously on him 

 than on the husbandman, the mariner, 

 or any other mortal who looks to the 

 weather for special favor. On the con- 

 trary, instead of the glowing horizon and 

 the glory of the sunburst that should 

 usher in the morning, the slow dawn is 

 quite apt to have the unwelcome accom- 

 paniment of rain. 



The hearing, first alert of the drowsy 

 senses, catches the sullen patter of the 

 drops on tent or shanty, their spiteful, 

 hissing fall on the smouldering embers of 

 the camp-fire, and with a waft of damp 

 earth and herbage stealing into his nos- 

 trils, the disappointed awakener turns 

 fretfully under his blanket, then crawls 

 107 



