o uniform an appearance that I could not
determine from what point I had come. Had there been water near at
hand, I should have remained where I was--the wisest thing to do under
such circumstances; but water I must have, or I should perish. I
accordingly set off intending to keep a straight line, and hoping to
fall in with my companions, or to discover their trail should I strike
the lake. I should then obtain the necessary water, and know afterwards
how to direct my course. Praying that I might be successful, I took my
rifle in my hand, ready for use, and marched forward. On and on I went,
keeping along the pine-barrens, and avoiding two hummocks I met with. I
had no longer any desire to eat, though I felt fearfully faint from
thirst; but, unfortunately, I could discover no fruits with which to
assuage it.

Once more evening was approaching. I scarcely expected to get through
another night without water. I was almost dropping with fatigue, when I
caught sight, between the trees, of what looked like a pool in a hollow.
I hurried forward as fast as my strength would allow me, and discovered
that it was the bed of a river. Though a large portion was dry, there
were here and there pools along its course. I did not stop to ascertain
whether the water was pure or foul, or whether the pool was full of
alligators; but stooping down, I eagerly dipped in my hand, and conveyed
the precious liquid to my mouth.

The clouds had cleared away from the horizon, and I was thus able to
ascertain the whereabouts of the west by seeing the sun setting with a
fiery aspect in its full circular form. By this I knew full well that a
sultry day would follow. Multitudes of insects now filled the air,
buzzing round my head; hundreds of piping frogs rose from the pool at
which I had drunk; the birds flew to their roosts; the squirrels ran to
their nests; and I could hear the voices of several herons as they
wended their way to the distant swamps. Now the night-birds broke forth
with their shrill cries; but overpowering sleep oppressed me. Even the
roar of an alligator or the cry of a puma could not have kept me awake.
Darkness rapidly came on, and there was no moon to light me on my path.
Making my way to the nearest tree, whose spreading branches afforded
some shelter from the night-dews, I knelt down and prayed for that
protection which I felt I so greatly needed. Then I stretched myself on
the ground, and almost in an instant wa