The gloom of the forest was congenial to him, and the excitement of pursuing the game afforded some slight relief to his agitated spirit.

One day, when he had wandered far from home, he came upon the cabin of a Dutchman with whom he had formed some previous acquaintance.

He had a daughter, who was exceedingly plain in her personal appearance, but who had a very active mind, and was a bright, talkative girl.
She had heard of David's misadventure, and rather unfeelingly rallied him upon his loss.

She however endeavored to comfort him by the assurance that there were as good fish in the sea as had ever been caught out of it.

David did not believe in this doctrine at all, as applied to his own case, He thought his loss utterly irretrievable.