Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1908-02-13
LOSING THE TRAIL.

you can't miss the camp" said the
guide. ut won't take you very long
if you don't get to wandering fooli'hly
in the woods"
"Are there any other tresscut with
an axe like these2" asked Howard
French, shouldsring his knapsa0k.
"Of course there are other trees
with marks, but none like these on
the camp road" said the guide.
"There are little bypaths and places
where trees have been marked to point
out certain things, but you stick to
this mark" and he pointed to a big
clean cut on good sized tree. "You
can't miss it.
"Where do the other trails lead
to2" inquired James Nelson. "What
would happen if we should take
themp
"They don't lead nowhere, said
the old guide positively. "SOme Of
them run into the swampS aud some
Just quit. You do as tell you, and
don't get to wandering around in the
big woods"
The four boys started, but in less
than a mile Howard was sure they
should take one path while James was
confident that his friend was wrong.
They argued about 1t short time,
but at last all went the way Howard
wanted to take, and the marks did
seem perfect as they went along. A
little farther on, George Peters wan.
dered away to pick up some cones,
and soon declared he was on the right
path and the others all wrong.
"You fellows can get loat if you
want to-" he called, "but I'm going to
try this path
The other three young fellows tried
to show him his mistake, but he went
on his way, calling back fainter and
fainter until his voice was lost in the
distance.
"Well Just have to go on to camp
and send out q party to rescue him,
said Howard, fastening his handker.
chief to tree to mark the spot whore
he left them. "It seems a pity
George thinks he knows it all, but
he'll have to learn by experience.
You're going the wrong way your
self, Howard" said James a few min
utes later.
"This is the right trail, isn't it,
Sheldon?"
"Of course" said Sheldon, compar.
ing the marks on the trees. Hurry
along here, Howard, or We will hsve
two strays to hunt up"
Don't be foolish, boys" said How.
ard. "This is the road and you know
it. Maybe the marks are not exactly
like the ones we've been seeing, but
who could get them just right"
II wonder if any of US will get to
camp2' said Sheldon, as he trudged
along with James. "The marks are
Just as clear as can be, and those fell
lows are too contrary to admit it.
What's that noise? l wonder if there
are any wild animals in the woods"
"Hellol Hello |" The voice
sounded far away but they recognised
it as that of George. They shouted
back and presently forlorn figure,
with hands, face and clothes scratched
by brsmblss, and general air Of dis
couragement, Joined them. II tell
you I'm thankful to get back, said
George, mopping his heated face.
"I'vs been through brush and thistlss
and ponds and everything else since
left you. Where's Howard ?"
"Off looking up another trail, said
James. "When you found you were
wrong, why didn't you turn around
and come right bsck2"
ya"I didn't like to own l was wrong,
said George. For awhile heard your
voices and thought I could keep near
enough not to get lost. but l wandered
farther away. I was a chump to mis-
take the marks, and I'll gladly own it
for the sake of getting to camp and
getting something to eat. I'm dead
tired"
The three boys heard nothing of
Howard, and when they got to camp
q guide was ssnt out to find him
Just at dusk the two came in footsors
and weary, and Howard was ready to
confess his mistake. al roamed
around till l was utterly discouraged,
and thought I'd have to stay there
all night" said the young man. Il
wish / had stuck to the right road,
but the other really looked like the
right one at first. never would
have found my way back, for 1 was
bonaIeeslv hewildered