Lost. 231 



and once more there is a wall of fern on eitlier side of 

 the path. After a while a broad green drive opens, 

 and is much more easy to walk along. But where 

 does it go? for presently- it divides into two, and then 

 the fork pursued again branches. Hush ! what is 

 that clattering? It sounds in several directions, but 

 nothing is visible. 



Then a sharp turn of the drive opens on a long 

 narrow grassy valley, which is crowded with deer. 

 Parties of thirty or fort}' are grazing ; and j'onder, 

 farther away bj' themselves, there must be nearly 

 a hundred fawns. Standing behind a tree, it is a 

 pleasant sight to watch them ; but after awhile comes 

 back the thought, dismissed contemptuously long 

 since — the afternoon is advancing, and is it possible 

 to be lost? The truth is we are lost for the time. 



It is impossible to retrace one's footsteps, the paths 

 and drives are so intricate, and cross and branch so 

 frequently. There are no landmarks. Perhaps from 

 the rising ground across the valley a view may be 

 obtained. On emerging into the open, the whole herd 

 of deer and fawns move slowly into the forest and 

 disappear. From the hill there is nothing visible but 

 trees. If a tree be climbed to get a look-out, there is 

 still nothing but trees. Following a green drive as 

 a forlorn hope, there comes again the rattling as of 

 clubs and spears, and strange grunting sounds. It is 

 the bucks fighting ; and they are not altogether safe 

 to approach. But time is going on ; unless we can 

 soon discover the way, we may have to remain till 

 the tawn}' wood-owls flit round the trees. 



There comes the tinkle-tinkle of a bell : a search 

 shows two or three cows, one of which, after the 



