Page:Reminiscences of Earliest Canterbury 1915.pdf/208

 strayed. It was a glorious day, and we were in our element; but when some five or six miles in the bush it came up foggy, and Mr. Stewart decided to lose no time in returning home. He took the lead, and we followed, but he had not gone far until we noticed he was going wrong; and we had the temerity to tell him so. He paid no attention to us, and, after a time, returned to the tree under which we had been resting before starting our journey. He was astonished, but saying, “Come along boys, I won’t make that mistake again,” started off afresh. He took a wider circle then, and as before, we told him he was going wrong. When he reached our starting place the second time, he was thoroughly scared, the perspiration poured from his face, and he trembled with excitement. We then pleaded with him to allow us to take the lead. He was only too willing to accede, and in the long run, just before dark, we came out of the bush near the house. My father was much amused when Stewart recounted the adventure.

In the early ’fifties my brother and I were frequently sent out by father to guide visitors through the bush, and put them on the track to Akaroa. On one of these expeditions a