as I could carry,
I struggled along with it towards my camp. Every moment I expected to
hear the wolf behind me, but as I at once struck into the wood I kept
out of the creature's sight. I was thankful when I saw the bright blaze
of my fire between the trunks of the trees. Hurrying forward, to my
infinite satisfaction I found the hare safe on the spit and almost done.

I threw down my burden close to the fire, having made up my mind to
fight for my prize should the wolf attempt to take it from me. I might
have to do battle also, I knew, not only for myself, but for my horse,
which, should the wolf discover, it would very probably attack.

The hare, which was now sufficiently cooked to be eaten, wonderfully
restored my strength and spirits. A portion remained for my breakfast
next morning, and I must then commence on the flesh of the lynx.

I had been so far preserved, and I was under no apprehension as to what
might happen. I reflected, however, that it would be necessary to
prepare some defence both for myself and my horse during the night
against the attack of wolves, and I considered how that might best be
done.

As I had still a few minutes of daylight, I employed them in cutting
some stout sticks, which I fixed in the snow at a short distance from
the fire; others I fastened with withes to the top as rafters, on which
I laid some branches, covering the whole with snow.

I also formed the walls of my hut with snow. There was fortunately a
moon in the sky, which enabled me to continue my labours long after
sunset.

Having completed my hut, I collected a further supply of sticks, and
made up my fire to last, as I hoped, for two or three hours. I then
went out, intending to bring my horse close to the hut. I found him
still at his supper, and he seemed very unwilling to leave the spot
where he had cleared away the snow. On my speaking to him, with a
little coaxing he, however, followed me, and I led him to the side of
the hut, where I secured him to a stake which I managed to drive into
the ground, for though covered with snow, it was soft below it.

I then cleared away the snow sufficiently to enable him to get at the
grass. This seemed to content him, and I hoped that he would remain
quiet and get rested for the journey which I expected to commence the
next morning. On examining my pile of sticks, I thought it would be
prudent to get a further supply, so that I might keep the fire blazing
till da