the cavern of Aladdin. Here and there, at the distance apart, sometimes
of several miles, would be seen the small clearing surrounding the solitary
log-house of some enterprising settler. Covered by unvarying carpet of
Tvhite, through which peeped the unpicturesque stumps, they were far
from presenting a very cheerful appearance, — they served, like the slight
breaks sometimes in a firmament of storm clouds, to reveal — -not relieve
— the surrounding sternness and gloom.
For several miles after leaving the village we rode along in perfect
silence, my companion occasionally eying me with a curious look, and
evidently making preparations for opening a conversation. To several
remarks upon the state of the weather, the road, etc., I made no answer;
my mind was filled with too many contending emotions for speech.
" I say, sonny," he at length exclaimed, evidently determined to come
to the point at once with the moody boy at his side, " I say, sonny, you
don't seem to like leaving home for the first time. Well, well, nobody
does. I did n't. I was the homesickest fellow once, you ever did see,
and I was a good deal older than you are too." And then he went on to
give me a long account of his first journey, to all of which I made no
reply. I was indignant at being called sonny. I was indignant at being
addressed at all — at having my confused meditations interrupted, — and
each moment I grew more and more provoked.
"Come, come, why don't you talk a little? it will do you good.
Well," after a pause, " they say that you are a queer fellow, and I really
believe they 're right. I 've heard tell some curious stories about you.
