largest
species.

"I had suddenly sprung to my feet, not with the intention of saving the
deer, but of assisting in its capture; and for this purpose I seized the
spear, and ran out. I heard my companion, as I thought, shouting some
caution after me; but I was too intent upon the chase to pay any
attention to what he said. I had at the moment a distinct perception of
hunger, and an indistinct idea of roast venison for supper.

"As I got down to the shore, I saw that the wolves had overtaken the
deer, and dragged it down upon the ice. The poor creature made but poor
running on the slippery track, sprawling at every bound; while the sharp
claws of its pursuers enabled them to gallop over the ice like cats.
The deer had, no doubt, mistaken the ice for water, which these
creatures very often do, and thus become an easy prey to wolves, dogs,
and hunters.

"I ran on, thinking that I would soon scatter the wolves, and rob them
of their prey. In a few moments I was in their midst, brandishing my
spear; but to my surprise, as well as terror, I saw that, instead of
relinquishing the deer, several of them still held on it, while the rest
surrounded me with open jaws, and eyes glancing like coals of fire.

"I shouted and fought desperately, thrusting the spear first at one and
then at another; but the wolves only became more bold and fierce,
incensed by the wounds I was inflicting.

"For several minutes I continued this unexpected conflict. I was
growing quite exhausted; and a sense of terrible dread coming over me,
had almost paralysed me, when the tall, dark form of the Indian,
hurrying over the ice, gave me new courage; and I plied the spear with
all my remaining strength, until several of my assailants lay pierced
upon the ice. The others, now seeing the proximity of my companion with
his huge ice-chisel, and frighted, moreover, by his wild Indian yells,
turned tail and scampered off.

"Three of them, however, had uttered their last howl, and the deer was
found close by--already half devoured!

"There was enough left, however, to make a good supper for both myself
and my companion; who, although, he had already picked the bones of
three muskrats, made a fresh attack upon the venison, eating of it as
though he had not tasted food for a fortnight."

CHAPTER ELEVEN.

MUSQUITOES AND THEIR ANTIDOTE.

Our next day's journey brought us again into heavy timber--another creek
bottom. The soil was rich and loamy,