He wished to explore a wilderness, to go on a foreign voyage,
to wander away, away, anywhere beyond the sight of college walls.
"John", said Mrs. Lansdowne, "I have been conversing with your father
on the subject, and he has consented to an expedition for you".
"O! glorious! mother where am I to go? to the Barcan desert, or to the
Arctic Ocean?"
"You are to make a journey to the Miramichi River?"
"Miramichi!" said John, after a brief pause, "I thought I had a slight
acquaintance with geography, but where in the wide world is
Miramichi?"
"It is in the province of New Brunswick. You will have seventy-five
miles of almost unbroken wilderness to pass through".
"Seventy-five miles of wilderness! magnificent! where's my rifle,
mother? I haven't seen it for an age".
"Don't be so impetuous, John. This journey through the wilderness will
be anything but magnificent. You will meet many dangers by the way and
will encounter many hardships".
"But, mother, what care I for the perils of the way. Look at that
powerful member", stretching out his large, muscular arm.
"Don't trust too much in that, John. Your strong arm is a good weapon,
but you may meet something yet that is more than a match for it".
"Possibly", said John, with a sceptical air, "but when am I to start,
mother?"
"To-morrow".
"To-morrow! that is fine. Well! I must bestir myself", said he,
rising.
"Not to-night, my dear. You've nothing to do at present.
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