thing that gratified
him certainly, for his voice and manner expressed it.

"What is it?" inquired the others, all speaking at the same time.

"_Tripe de roche_!" answered he.

"_Tripe de roche_?"

"Yes," replied Norman, "look there!" and he pointed to one of the rocks
directly ahead of them, at the same time moving forward to it. The
others hastened up after. On reaching the rock, they saw what Norman
had meant by the words _tripe de roche_ (rock-tripe). It was a black,
hard, crumply substance, that nearly covered the surface of the rock,
and was evidently of a vegetable nature. Lucien knew what it was as
well as Norman, and joy had expressed itself upon his pale cheeks at the
sight. As for Basil and Francois they only stood waiting an
explanation, and wondering what value a quantity of "rock moss," as they
deemed it, could be to persons in their condition. Lucien soon informed
them that it was not a "moss," but a "lichen," and of that celebrated
species which will sustain human life. It was the _Gyrophora_. Norman
confirmed Lucien's statement, and furthermore affirmed, that not only
the Indians and Esquimaux, but also parties of voyageurs, had often
subsisted upon it for days, when they would otherwise have starved.
There are many species,--not less than five or six. All of them possess
nutritive properties, but only one is a palatable food--the _Gyrophora
vellea_ of botanists. Unfortunately, this was not the sort which our
voyageurs had happened upon, as it grows only upon rocks shaded by
woods, and is rarely met with in the open barrens. The one, however,
which Norman had discovered was the "next best," and they were all glad
at finding even that.

The first thing to be thought of was to collect it, and all four set to
peeling and scraping it from the rocks. The next thought was to make it
ready for eating. Here a new difficulty stared them in the face. The
_tripe de roche_ had to be boiled,--it could not be eaten else,--and
where was the fire? where was the wood to make one? Not a stick was to
be seen. They had not met with a tree during all that day's journey!

They were now as badly off as ever. The _tripe de roche_ would be of no
more use to them than so much dry grass. What could they do with it?

In the midst of their suspense, one of them thought of the sledge--
Marengo's sledge. That would make a fire, but a very small one. It
might do to cook a single meal. Even that was better t