Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 4).djvu/342

 do you wish to go?" said I—"N. E." replied he, "ought to bring us into the main road."—"Well," said I, "let us leave the mossy side of the trees on our left shoulder."

Following my advice, we soon heard some one at a distance singing loudly. We took the direction of the voice, and soon afterwards found the wagon road, after wandering above two hours in search of it. Mr. O'Connor's relating the story good humouredly at Capt. Percy's did not prevent his being rallied a good deal about it, and it spreading, became a standing subject of laugh against him, among his surrounding friends. The day after this, as I was accompanying Mr. O'C. and some of his neighbours to a militia muster, my horse took fright, at my suddenly raising my umbrella during a shower, and plunging violently, he threw me on my head, but without doing me any other injury than dirtying me all over.

On Thursday, 1st September, I left Mr. O'Connor's after breakfast, with the intention of pursuing my journey, but calling at Capt. Percy's, he said it was his birth day, and that I must spend it with him, {306} and that he had sent for Mr. O'C. for the same purpose.

This was truly an agreeable day to me, it being devoted to social converse without ceremony, while the well regulated and liberal domestick arrangements of the amiable and well informed lady of our friendly host, recalled to my mind the elegant refinement I had so often enjoyed in the society of her fair countrywomen, during my residence in Scotland. To her engaging native manners, Mrs. Percy adds the advantages of a long residence in London, where she seems to have grafted on her native stock, such exotick knowledge only, as could farther expand a mind, already adorned both by nature and art.

Next day, Friday, 2d September, my worthy host and