114 FORTY-FOUR YEARS OF 



myself. " I never knew of this place in these woods 

 before. If this is Cherry-tree Meadow Creek, it will run 

 to my left; but I will go and see." I went down; and 

 finding it running to my right, I knew it to be the Little 

 Crossings, instead of Cherry-tree Meadow Creek. I 

 turned my course for home again, for I had travelled two 

 or three miles further away, and I began to fear those 

 laurels I had to cross. The snow had now covered them 

 all over ; and if night came on me before I got into them, 

 it would be impossible for me to cross them in tte night. 

 I therefore ran at full speed, and by-and-bye I c«»me to 

 another steep hill, and another roaring waterfall. 



"Well," said I, "this looks very like the same place I 

 was at a few minutes ago, and I think it is the same." I 

 ran down the steep hill, and at its foot saw the tracks in 

 the snow, which I had made just previously. Feeling 

 irritated, and as crabbed as a wounded bear, I again 

 walked up to the top of the hill, " Now," said I, " I 

 will take three trees in range, and keep on that course till 

 I come out of this desolate place." 



Having ranged my trees, I started off at full speed, 

 thinking that, if I could yet succeed in passing the laurels 

 before dark, and get a glimpse of the high Negro Moun- 

 tain, I could go home in the dark. Encouraged at the 

 thought of home, I ran on till I came to another steep hill 

 and another roaring waterfall. " Merciful Father ! " said 



I, " have I got back to that again ? " 



As I was carrying my gun in my right hand, I laid it 

 on my shoulder, and walked coolly along till I came to my 

 tracks the third time ; and then I made up my mind I 

 would have to stay in the woods all night. It was then 

 getting dark, the snow was ankle-deep, and both hail and 

 snow were falling very fast. I searched for a hollow tree 

 to crep into, but could find none, nor a shelter of any 

 kind. At leng'.li, linding two trees laying across each 



