“LOST IN A FOREST. 261 
lections of their weight. If still a tyro, I advise you to 
make a trial, as a new sensation will be experienced, partic- 
‘ularly if the ground is soft and muddy. I had scarcely re- 
entered the sombre forest, when my spaniel found some 
ruffed grouse, and treed them a short way off on the left. 
A brace of these delicate birds would be a most acceptable 
addition to a future dinner; so, without hesitation, I struck 
off to the right, to cultivate their more intimate acquaint- 
ance. Advancing upon them unwarily, the covey flushed, 
but flew only a short distance. I thought my chances so 
remarkably good that I would make another try, but again 
the watchfulness of my feathered friend foiled me. "With 
a malediction on my lips, I turned to retrace my steps, but 
for my life I could not tell in which direction my route lay. 
To be lost, pooh, pooh! what nonsense! I was not still a 
school-boy, and had been too long cut loose from my moth- 
er’s apron-strings. The whole thing appeared too absurd 
and ridiculous. Off I went, as I thought, straight back to 
the place I had left. I must cross my own path in a few 
minutes—only a few steps farther! I am certainly close 
now! and thus arguing and consoling, I proceeded. By 
degrees it began to dawn upon me, though much against 
my inclination, that I was “certain sure out of my reckon- 
ing.” The more convinced I became of the uncertainty of 
my position, the more I became excited. At first I walked 
faster, talked to myself, and tried, though I fear very indif- 
ferently, to treat the whole affair as an admirable joke. 
But soon my countenance became elongated, and a very 
gloomy expression usurped the place of my previous smile. 
For change, I shouted, with the hope some one might hear 
me—a very improbable thing—except, perchance, some sol- 
itary Indian should be out in attendance on his bear or oth- 
er traps. At last I became fairly desperate, and broke into 
a headlong run: the pace was too fast to keep up; fairly 
