Marco contented himself, therefore, with gazing on the changing scenery, as they passed, in succession, one island and promontory after another. The whole country was covered with forests, except that here and there was an opening, with the house and barn of a settler in the middle of it. Smokes were rising, too, in various directions, where new clearings were in progress. There was one in particular, on the side of a distant hill, which rose in such dense white volumes as especially to attract Marco's attention.
When Marco had admired these objects long enough, he leaned a little over the side of the boat, and began to look down into the water. The water was not deep, and the bottom was smooth and sandy. They glided rapidly along over these sands. Marco's leaning caused the boat to incline a little to one side; but Forester, instead of asking him not to lean over so, just moved himself a little in the contrary direction, and thus restored the equilibrium.
"There, Forester," said Marco, suddenly raising himself, "I forgot one thing."
"What is that?" said Forester.
"I forgot my piece of wood to make a box of."
"I am very sorry," said Forester. "But then you can get another piece, perhaps, before we get to the end of our journey."
"But I wanted a piece from that very hut, so as to make the box a souvenir of our having got lost in the woods," said Marco.
"Yes," rejoined Forester, "that would have been very pleasant,—but, perhaps, we shall meet with some other odd adventure, which will be as good as being lost in the woods."
"I don't think being lost in the woods is anything very good," said Marco.