It had never
been much travelled, and from the free use at the present time of other
and more direct courses, it was left almost totally unemployed, save by
those living immediately in its neighborhood. It had, therefore, become,
at the time of which we speak, what, in backwood phrase, is known as a
_blind-path_.
Such being the case, it is not difficult to imagine that, when able to
restrain his horse, Ralph, as he feared, found himself entirely out of
its guidance--wandering without direction among the old trees of the
forest. Still, as for the night, now nearly over, he could have no
distinct point in view, and saw just as little reason to go back as
forward, he gave himself but little time for scruple or hesitation.
Resolutely, though with a cautious motion, he pricked his steed forward
through the woods, accommodating his philosophy, as well as he could, to
the various interruptions which the future, as if to rival the past,
seemed to have treasured up in store for him.
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