A BOOTLESS CHASE LOST IN THE FOREST. 279 



rock, contemplating the prospect, Slowtrap rolled a 

 large stone to the edge of the declivity ; then pushin"- 

 it over, he set the dogs after it — these hearing the noise, 

 flew in wild haste down the steep. The stone at first 

 moved slowly, but as it gathered way in its descent, it 

 made bounds of twenty and thirty feet, broke off young 

 trees, and went thundering to the bottom in clouds of 

 dust, the dogs still in chase. I did not much hke it, 

 fearing they might break their legs or necks. Bears- 

 grease came back first, crouching and wagging his tail, 

 as if he knew that he had committed an egregious 

 folly. The others returned later, puffing and snorting. 

 S. seemed to have been much amused : he sat com- 

 fortably on a rock, with his bridle on his left arm, 

 and looked on without movmg a muscle of his coun- 

 tenance. 



We had a long march before us. It was ten miles 

 to the nearest house, and we had nothing eatable left, 

 either for ourselves or the horse; it was moreover 

 getting dark. S. said we must keep on the hill for six 

 or seven miles, and then turn down towards the Mul- 

 berry to the house. 



It grew darker and darker. A narrow unfrequented 

 footpath covered with yellow leaves was our only guide, 

 which I followed up with undivided attention, Slow- 

 trap riding slowly after me. A thin penetrating rain 

 set in with the night ; yet, indefatigably, and with my 

 nose nearly on the ground, I kept to the almost in- 

 visible path, till about ten o'clock, when I stopped, and 

 told Slowtrap that either the path ended here, or I had 

 missed it ; which of the two was the case I could not 

 say. Slowtrap, who had followed patiently without 



