LOST IN A FOMEST. 261 



lections of their weight. If still a tyro, I advise you to 

 make a trial, as a new sensation will be experienced, partic- 

 ularly if the ground is soft and muddy. I had scarcely re- 

 entered the sombre forest, when my spaniel found some 

 ruffed grouse, and treed them a short way off on the left. 

 A brace of these delicate birds would be a most acceptable 

 addition to a future dinner ; so, without hesitation, I struck 

 off to the right, to cultivate their more intimate acquaint- 

 ance. Advancing upon them unwarily, the covey flushed, 

 but flew only a short distance. I thought my chances so 

 remarkably good that I would make another try, but again 

 the watchfulness of my feathered friend foiled me. With 

 a malediction on my lips, I turned to retrace my steps, but 

 for my life I could not tell in which direction my route lay. 

 To be lost, pooh, pooh ! what nonsense ! I was not still a 

 school-boy, and had been too long cut loose from my moth- 

 er's apron-strings. The whole thing appeared too absurd 

 and ridiculous. Off I went, as I thought, straight back to 

 the place I had left. I must cross my own path in a few 

 minutes only a few steps farther ! I am certainly close 

 now ! and thus arguing and consoling, I proceeded. By 

 degrees it began to dawn upon me, though much against 

 my inclination, that I was " certain sure out of my reckon- 

 ing." The more convinced I became of the uncertainty of 

 my position, the more I became excited. At first I walked 

 faster, talked to myself, and tried, though I fear very indif- 

 ferently, to treat the whole affair as an admirable joke. 

 But soon my countenance became elongated, and a very 

 gloomy expression usurped the place of my previous smile. 

 For change, I shouted, with the hope some one might hear 

 me a very improbable thing except, perchance, some sol- 

 itary Indian should be out in attendance on his bear or oth- 

 er traps. At last I became fairly desperate, and broke into 

 a headlong run : the pace was too fast to keep up ; fairly 



