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Page 17
"True, mother", said he, reseating himself. "But how did you happen to
think of Miramichi?" he asked, after a pause.
"That is what I must explain to you. Your uncle Edward has committed
an act of imprudence which he fancies your father will not forgive
him. He has left us without giving any information of his destination.
We hope you will find him in New Brunswick, and this is your errand.
You must seek him and bring him back to us".
John had been absent at the time of Mr. Somers's departure, and,
without making definite inquiries, supposed him to be away on ordinary
business.
After his first surprise at his mother's announcement, he was quite
silent for a few moments.
Then he said, firmly, "If he is there, I will find him".
Mrs. Lansdowne did not explain to him the nature of her brother's
offence, but simply communicated her earnest desire for his return.
Then going together to the library they consulted the map of Maine
and New Brunswick. Mr. Lansdowne joined them,--the route was fully
discussed, and John retired to dream of the delights of a life
untrammelled by college, or city walls.
CHAPTER VII.
A JOURNEY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS.
Two days after the arrival of Mr. Norton at the Dubois House, on the
banks of the Miramichi, John Lansdowne, on a brilliant September
morning, started on his memorable journey to that region.
He was up betimes, and made his appearance at the stables just as
James, the stout little coachman, was completing C�sar's elaborate
toilet.
C�sar was a noble-looking, black animal, whose strength and capacity
for endurance had been well tested. This morning he was in high
spirits and looked good for months of rough-and-tumble service.
"Here's yer rifle, Mister John. I put it in trim for ye yesterday. I
s'pose ye'll be a squintin' reound sharp for bears and wolves and
other livin' wild beasts when ye git inter the woods".
"Certainly, James. I expect to set the savage old monsters scattering
in every direction".
"Well, but lookeout, Mister John and keep number one eout o' fire and
water and sech".
"Trust me for doing that, James".
After many affectionate counsels and adieus from his parents, John,
mounted on the gallant C�sar, with his rifle and portmanteau, posted
on at a rapid rate, soon leaving the city far behind.
The position of one who sits confidently upon the back of a brave and
spirited horse, is surely enviable. The mastery of a creature of such
strength and capacity--whose neck is clothed with thunder--the glory
of whose nostrils is terrible, gives to the rider a sense of freedom
and power not often felt amidst the common conditions of life. No
wonder that the Bedouin of the desert, crafty, cringing, abject in
cities, when he mounts his Arab steed and is off to the burning sands,
becomes dignified and courteous. Liberty and power are his. They
elevate him for the time in the scale of existence.
John was a superb rider. From his first trial, he had sat on
horseback, firm and kingly.
He and C�sar apparently indulged in common emotions on this morning of
their departure from home. They did not it is true "smell the battle
afar off, the thunder of the captains and the shouting," but they
smelt the wilderness, the wild, the fresh, the free, and they said ha!
ha! And so they sped on their long journey.
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