we bivouacked on this memorable occasion.

At Plum Creek we again resumed our horses, and, at the village of Galt*
we parted company. The Doctor and his man went on to Flamborough+ West;
whilst Smith and I returned to Guelph, which we reached a short time
after dark, without inflicting on him any more adventures.

[* Galt is a thriving town, situated on the west bank of the Grand
River, in the township of Dumfries. The town-plot originally belonged
to the Honourable William Dixon, who gave it that name in compliment to
the superintendent of the Canada Company.
+ One of the prettiest situations in Canada West, commanding a fine
prospect of Ancaster and the surrounding country; and also the seat of
the Hon. James Crooks.]

CHAPTER XVII.

A NEW WAY OF KEEPING A BIRTHDAY. -- LOST IN THE WOODS. -- KINDNESS OF
MR. GALT. -- ADVICE TO NEW SETTLERS. -- UNEXPECTED RETIREMENT OF MR.
GALT. -- I ACCOMPANY HIM TO THE LANDING-PLACE. -- RECEIVE ORDERS TO
LEAVE GUELPH FOR GODERICH. -- WHIRLWINDS AT GUELPH AND DOURO.

THE 6th of November was my birthday, so I determined to give myself a
holiday, and go out _still-hunting_. I had been told by some of the
workmen that deer were very plentiful in the Clergy-block, so I started
early in the morning without waiting for my regular breakfast, merely
taking a biscuit, as I was too eager for the sport to have much
appetite; besides, I intended to be home to an early dinner. The sky
was overcast, and a few flakes of snow were falling, but I did not
dislike these signs; for I prefer a little dampness on the leaves,
which causes less noise from the tread--an important point to the
hunter; for when the leaves are crisp and dry, it is useless to attempt
approaching the deer, who are sure to hear you long before you get
within range.

I considered myself a tolerably good woodsman, and was, therefore, not
much afraid of being lost; but I reckoned without my host in this
instance. After crossing the river, I proceeded for some distance along
a hard-wood ridge, till I came to a thicket of brush-wood, out of which
sprang three fine deer, a buck and two does. I fired at the buck as he
scampered off, and had the satisfaction of finding blood on the track,
which I followed for more than two miles. But I lost him at last in the
middle of a cedar-swamp, owing to the quantity of soft snow, which was
by this time falling heavily. I, therefore, thought it best to return
home, and put off my hunt to a m