degree of speed that surprised myself,--such is the powerful influence
the mind exercises over the body.

I expected an hour's walk would bring me to the lakes, but the sun
being in the zenith, and my way lying through a dense forest of pine,
I could not keep a straight course. I proceeded onward, however, as
well as _reason_ could direct me, and most willingly would I have
exchanged a little of that _faculty_ for the _instinct_ that leads the
brute creation with unerring certainty through the pathless depths of
the forest.

The sun was rapidly declining, and my hopes with it, when suddenly I
fancied I heard the murmuring sound of running water. Could it be
really so? What a delightful feast I should have! for I had passed the
day, like the preceding, without a drop of water to allay my raging
thirst. I listened; the sound became more distinct--it was no
illusion. I quickened my pace, and soon came upon a charming rivulet,
flowing rapidly over a bed of white pebbles, its water clear as
crystal. I rushed into the midst of it, and fervently thanking the
Giver of all good, threw myself on my knees, and drank draught
after draught till my thirst was quenched. I felt refreshed to an
extraordinary degree, and concluding that the stream would lead me
to the river, or to some lake communicating with it, I followed its
course, wading in the water that there might be "no mistake," and soon
came out on the border of a small lake, where I had the additional
satisfaction of hearing the report of guns so distinctly as to
convince me that the party firing them could be at no great distance.
I walked round the lake, and at its far end fell on a portage path
that soon conducted me to another lake. This, then, must be the chain
of lakes I was in search of! I was transported at the thought.