460 THE ECCENTRIC NATURALIST. 



to the canes stuck to our clothes. We received many scratches from 

 briars, and now and then a twitch from a nettle. M. de T. seriously in- 

 quired if we should ever get alive out of the horrible situation in which 

 we were. I spoke of courage and patience, and told him I hoped we 

 should soon get to the margin of the brake, which, however, I knew to 

 be two miles distant. I made him rest, and gave hira a mouthful of 

 brandy from my flask ; after which, we proceeded on our slow and pain- 

 ful march. He threw away all his plants, emptied his pockets of the 

 fungi, lichens, and mosses which he had thrust into them, and finding 

 himself much lightened, went on for thirty or forty yards with a better 

 grace. But, kind reader, enough — I led the naturalist first one way, 

 then another, until I had nearly lost myself in the brake, although I was 

 well acquainted with it, kept him tumbhng and crawling on his hands 

 and knees, until long after mid-day, when we at length reached the edge 

 of the river. I blew my horn, and soon shewed my companion a boat 

 coming to our rescue. We were ferried over, and, on reaching the house, 

 found more agreeable occupation in replenishing our empty coffers. 



M. de T. remained with us for three weeks, and collected multitudes 

 of plants, shells, bats, and fishes, but never again expressed a desire of 

 visiting a cane-brake. We were perfectly reconciled to his oddities, and, 

 finding him a most agreeable and intelligent companion, hoped that his 

 sojourn might be of long duration. But, one evening when tea was 

 prepared, and we expected him to join the family, he was nowhere to be 

 found. His grasses and other valuables were all removed from his room. 

 The night was spent in searching for him in the neighbourhood. No 

 eccentric naturalist could be discovered. Whether he had perished in a 

 swamp, or had been devoured by a bear or a gar-fish, or had taken to 

 his heels, were matters of conjecture ; nor was it until some weeks after, 

 that a letter from him, thanking us for our attention, assured me of his 

 safety. 



