e agreed that we would have willingly spent
some days in this enchanting spot. However, this was not to be thought
of.

We kept up a blazing fire all night, and consequently escaped a visit
from either grizzly or panther. The question now was, "How were we to
cross the lake?" We were none of us much accustomed to boating,
although Sergeant Custis knew more about it than either Manley or I. At
first we talked of building a canoe, but the sergeant suggested that, as
it would take some time to construct one, it would be better to form a
raft, which could be put together in a few hours.

"If the water remains as quiet as it does at present, we can soon paddle
to the other side; and we can also rig a mast and yard, on which we can
make a very good sail with our blankets," he observed.

At daylight we commenced to build a raft. There were logs enough of
every size and length in the forest, and we selected those only which we
could drag with ease to the water's edge. Lithe vines, of which there
were plenty hanging to the trees, served instead of ropes, and with
these we bound our logs together. As the pine-wood was heavy, we formed
a platform on the top of the logs with smaller poles and lighter
branches, interwoven, and bound together as tightly as we considered
necessary for the easy voyage we proposed to undertake.

We were, it must be understood, at the north-east end of the lake. On
the west side was the promontory which we hoped to reach, and beyond it
a deep gulf ran up the shore, the farther end of which we could not
distinguish.

Some hours were passed in constructing the raft. We had then to cut out
the paddles, a long oar to steer by, and also the mast and yard. These,
although they were very roughly formed, occupied us some time longer, so
that it was late in the day before we were ready to commence our voyage.
We calculated, however, that we should have no difficulty in getting
across before sundown; and as the evening promised to be calm and
beautiful, we expected to have a pleasant passage. The wind, too, was
favourable, blowing from the eastward, and would help us along,--
although, as it was very light, we must be prepared to use our paddles.

The raft had been built in the water, so that all we had to do was to
step on board, set our sail, and shove off. "Away we go!" cried Manley,
giving a shove with the steering oar, and we glided off from the shore.

Sergeant Custis quickly set the sail,