Let the imagination of the reader pursue the track of the
adventurer into this solitary wilderness. Bending his course
towards the setting sun, over undulating hills, under the shade of
large forest trees, and wading through the rank weeds and grass
which then covered the earth. Now viewing from the top of a
hill the winding course of the creek whose stream he wishes to
explore, doubtful of its course, and of his own, he ascertains the
cardinal points of north and south by the thickness of the moss
and bark on the north side of the ancient trees. Now descending
into a valley and presaging his approach to a river by seeing
large ash, bass-wood and sugar trees, beautifully festooned with
wild grape vines.
Watchful as Argus, his restless eye catches every thing around
him. In an unknown region, and surrounded with dangers, he is
the sentinel of his own safety, and relies on himself alone for protection.
The toilsome march of the day being ended, at the fall of night
he seeks for safety some narrow, sequestered hollow, and by the
side of a large log builds a fire, and, after eating his coarse and
scanty meal, wraps himself up in his blanket, and lays him down
on his bed of leaves, with his feet to the little fire, for repose,
hoping for favorable dreams ominous of future good luck, while his
faithful dog and gun repose by his side.
