EPISODES 323 



grass extended on all sides, not a living being crossed his 

 path; all was silent and still, and the scene was like a 

 dull and dreary dream of the land of oblivion. He wan- 

 dered like a forgotten ghost that had passed into the land 

 of spirits, without yet meeting one of his kind with whom 

 to hold converse. 



The condition of a man lost in the woods is one of the 

 most perplexing that could be imagined by a person who 

 has not himself been in a like predicament. Every ob- 

 ject he sees, he at first thinks he recognizes, and while 

 his whole mind is bent on searching for more that may 

 gradually lead to his extrication, he goes on committing 

 greater errors the farther he proceeds. This was the case 

 with the live-oa:ker. The sun was now setting with a fiery 

 aspect, and by degrees it sunk in its full circular form, as 

 if giving warning of a sultry morrow. Myriads of insects, 

 delighted at its departure, now filled the air on buzzing 

 wings. Each piping frog arose from the muddy pool in 

 which it had concealed itself; the Squirrel retired to its 

 hole, the Crow to its roost, and, far above, the harsh, 

 croaking voice of the Heron announced that, full of anxi- 

 ety, it was wending its way towards the miry interior of 

 some distant swamp. Now the woods began to resound 

 to the shrill cries of the Owl ; and the breeze, as it swept 

 among the columnar stems of the forest trees, came laden 

 with heavy and chilling dews. Alas ! no moon with her 

 silvery light shone on the dreary scene, and the Lost 

 One, wearied and vexed, laid himself down on the damp 

 ground. Prayer is always consolatory to man in every 

 difficulty or danger, and the woodsman fervently prayed to 

 his Maker, wished his family a happier night than it was 

 his lot to experience, and with a feverish anxiety waited 

 the return of day. 



You may imagine the length of that dull, cold, moon- 

 less night. With the dawn of day came the usual fogs of 

 those latitudes. The poor man started on his feet, and 



