nd!
After a while the shadows of night fell upon us, and we were enshrouded
in the darkness. Not a pleasant position was that in which we were
situated; but there was no help for it, nor any use in giving way to
despondency or despair. A sweet peace filled my soul, and in a blessed
restfulness of spirit my heart was kept stayed upon God. While there is
life there is hope; and so, with an occasional shout of warning to Alec
to keep awake, and a cheering call to the dogs, who required no special
urging, so gallantly were they doing their work, we patiently hung on to
our sleds and awaited the result. We were now in the gloom of night,
dashing along I knew not where, and not even able at times to see the
dogs before us.

About three hours after dark the dogs quickened their pace into a
gallop, and showed by their excitement that they had detected evidences
of nearness to the shore and safety, of which as yet I knew nothing.
Soon after they dragged us over a large pile of broken ice and snow, the
accumulations of ice cut out of the holes in the lake, where the Indian
families had for months obtained their supply of water for cooking and
other purposes. Turning sharply on the trail towards the shore, our
dogs dashed along for a couple of hundred yards more; then they dragged
us up a steep bank into the forest, and, after a few minutes more of
rapid travelling, we found ourselves in the midst of a little collection
of wigwams, and among a band of friendly Indians, who gave us a cordial
welcome, and rejoiced with us at our escape from the storm, which was
the severest of the year.

We had three days of religious services with them, and then went on our
way from encampment to encampment. Very glad were the poor people to
see us, and with avidity did they receive the word preached.

I felt that it was very slow work. My Circuit or Mission-field was
larger than all England. I was the only Missionary of any Church in
this large field. By canoe or dog-train I could only get around to all
my appointments or out-stations twice a year. Six months the poor souls
had to wait for the messenger and the message.

At one of these Indian encampments on one of these visits I had the
following sad experience. Before I closed the first service I asked,
"Where is the old man whose head was like the snow-drift?" for I had
missed a white-haired old man, who had ever been at all the services,
and had from the time of his conversion m