To add to their alarm, it was manifest that the day was fast approaching its close.

The sun had set, or was so low in the heavens that not a single ray could be seen trembling on the tallest tree; and thus was lost the only means of deciding towards what quarter of the compass they were directing their steps.

The mosses on the trees were appealed to in vain,--as they will be by all who expect to find them pointing like the mariner's needle to the pole.

They indicate the quarter from which blow the prevailing humid winds of any region of country; but in the moist and dense forests of the interior, they are often equally luxuriant on every side of the tree.

The varying shape and robustness of boughs are thought to offer a better means of finding the points of the compass; but none but Indians and hunters grown gray in the woods, can profit by _their_ occult lessons.