wever, was poor food for a
starving man, and he was well aware that unless he could obtain
something more substantial he must miserably perish. Game was
plentiful along the river, and several times he saw moose and bears,
while early that morning he ran close to a flock of wild ducks. But
their presence only mocked him now, weaponless as he was.

This day was a most trying one, for about the middle of the forenoon it
began to rain, and Reynolds was wet to the skin as he sat huddled upon
the raft. Anxiously he peered forward, hoping that around every bend
something more cheering than the monotonous trees would meet his eyes.
But hour after hour it was just the same, and the rain continued
without any cessation. Would the river never end? he asked himself
over and over again. Whither was it bearing him, anyway? At times the
sinuous water appeared like a demon, carrying him on to destruction.
Its gurgle and ripple sounded in his ears like mocking laughter, and
the great brooding forest in its intense silence seemed in league with
the stream. Of what avail were all his mighty efforts? He had escaped
from the tangle of the forest, only to be lured to ruin by the river.

The afternoon waned, and night drew near, and still the raft swept
onward. Reynolds felt that he could endure the strain but little
longer. He was chilled to the bone, and cramped from his huddled
position. He must land, and get some circulation in his body,
providing he had any strength left.

He was about to run the raft ashore, when to his great delight it
suddenly shot forth from its forest prison into the open expanse of a
broad and silent lake. Reynolds staggered painfully to his feet and
looked around. He could only see a short distance, as a heavy mist lay
over the water. His eyes scanned the shore, but no sign of human
habitation could he behold. There was nothing except the same scene of
desolation which had been his companion for weary days.

The raft was motionless now, some distance out upon the lake. Slowly
Reynolds forced it to the shore, and secured it in a little cove.

"I might as well stay here for the night," he muttered. "It may be
clear to-morrow which will enable me to see farther. Oh, for something
to eat!"

With much difficulty he started a fire, for the wood was wet, and then
warmed himself before the cheerful blaze. It was not raining so hard
now, for which he was thankful. He tried to dry his rags of cloth