expedition under what, I fondly
trusted, would be more favourable auspices.

Furthermore, I sought an opportunity for taking in privacy an extensive
swimming lesson. Since the afternoon before I had felt my technic in
swimming was deficient, and I was determined to persevere in rehearsals
of the various evolutions until I had become letter perfect. Lastly, I
desired to give my cold a treatment in accordance with an expedient that
had just occurred to me.

No sooner had the lads scampered away, making the vast grove ring amain
to their acclaims, than I began my preparations. Ordinarily, when
afflicted by a catarrhal visitation, it is my habit to use for
alleviation cubeb cigarettes. Having none of these about me and having
in some way mislaid my sole pocket handkerchief, I now hoped to check
the streaming eyes--and nose--and soothe the other symptoms of the
complaint by inhaling the aromatic smoke of burning balsam.

I placed many sprigs of cedar on the camp fire. Immediately a thick,
black cloud rose. A short distance away, on a flat stretch of turf, I
spread my blanket, placing in the centre of it my pink sofa pillow.
Midway between fire and blanket I deposited the earthen relic that had
contained the wild strawberries, having previously filled it with water
from the lake. I state these things circumstantially because all this
has a bearing on what was shortly to ensue.

All things being arranged to my satisfaction, I proceeded to go through
the following routine: First, stretching myself prostrate and face
downward on the blanket, with the central portion of my person resting
on the sofa pillow as a partial prop or support, I would count aloud
"One--two--three--go!" and then perform the indicated movements of
Swimming Lesson Number One, striking out simultaneously with my arms and
lower limbs.

When wearied by these exertions I would rise, and visiting the fire
would bend forward over it, inhaling the fumes and vapours until
suffocation was imminent, anon returning to the blanket to resume my
swimming exercises; but in going and in coming I would halt to lave my
face, hands and knees in the cooling water contained in the receptacle.

I imagine, without knowing definitely, that I had been engaged in these
occupations for perhaps half an hour, and felt that I had made
commendable progress in my swimming. At a moment when I was extended
prone on the blanket, counting rapidly as I mastered the breast stroke,
that s