had got so wet, that at last I gave it up as a bad job;
though I should have liked him very much for my supper, for which I had
a ravenous appetite.

[* A heap of great trees blown down by the wind.]

Presently, I came to a nice little spring creek running under some fine
shady cedars. The ground looked dry and mossy; and as it was nearly
dark, I thought the best thing I could do was to camp for the night,
for I knew it was impossible to find my way after dark. I immediately
collected a large quantity of dry balsam-fir, which lay about in great
profusion, and chose a cluster of spreading cedars for my camp. After
this, I piled a large heap of wood against one of the trees; and
rubbing some dry cedar-bark quite fine, put it under my wood. In order
to light my fire, I tore up a piece of a cotton handkerchief, which I
laid over the pan of my gun, newly primed. Having fired the cotton in
this manner, I enclosed it in the cedar-bark, keeping up the flame--not
by using that primitive bellows, my mouth--but, by waving the bark to
and fro, after the method used by the Indians. Thus, I soon had a large
cheerful fire, which I much needed, for I was thoroughly wet.

My first care was to dry my gun and reload it, in case of wolves.
Whilst I was busy doing this, I heard a shot, and then another; but the
gunners were a long way off, as I knew by the sound--certainly not less
than three miles; and as I was quite aware it was useless for me to
attempt to make my way out, I contented myself with firing my gun in
answer to their shots, which, not being repeated, I also ceased firing,
though I had no doubt my neighbours were searching for me, but not near
enough to find me out. However, I discovered the direction in which
Guelph lay, by the sound of their volleys, so I did not despair, as I
felt sure of being able to regain my home in the morning.

The snow soon ceased to fall, and the night came out fine and clear,
though rather sharp. I had a famous fire, and slept tolerably well,
though awaking occasionally with the cold; when I would replenish the
fire and turn my chilled side to the blaze, by which means I managed to
pass the night as well as I could expect under the circumstances,
considering, too, that I had eaten nothing from six o'clock the
previous morning.

By day-break, I was on my march in the direction in which I supposed
Guelph to lie. The sun rose clear and bright, which enabled me to make
a true course in half an ho