also that he was regaining his strength.

I felt very thankful that I had not killed him, as I had contemplated
doing.

Having deposited my bundle of wood on the pile previously formed, I
crept into my hut. I then placed some sticks across the entrance as a
protection against any sudden attack, and lay down on the pack-saddle,
covering my feet with the horse-rug. Though the cold was sufficiently
severe under other circumstances to have kept me awake, before many
minutes were over I was fast asleep.

CHAPTER TWO.

FIRST NIGHT IN MY SOLITARY CAMP--PAT CASEY RESCUED--LYNX BROTH--THE
WOLF'S SECOND APPEARANCE--PAT'S "DHRAMEING"--THE WOLF AGAIN APPEARS--PAT
RECOVERS AND SHOOTS THE "BASTE"--PAT'S NOVEL METHOD OF MAKING A FIRE
BURN--LOSS OF OUR POWDER--WE CONSTRUCT HUNTING-SPEARS, AND COMMENCE OUR
JOURNEY--OUR HORSES MYSTERIOUSLY DISAPPEAR--MARCHING WITHOUT FOOD--THE
INFURIATED ELK--HAVING TAKEN REFUGE IN A TREE, MY SPEAR PROVES USEFUL--
DEER'S FLESH A GOOD PREVENTIVE AGAINST STARVATION--SMOKED VENISON--
MISKWANDIB IS STARVING, AND SO ARE HIS SQUAW AND CHILDREN--OUR NARROW
ESCAPE FROM BEING POISONED BY ROOTS.

I had remembered before closing my eyes the importance of awaking in a
couple of hours. It was the last thought that had occupied my mind. I
recollect starting up and seeing the fire blazing brightly, which showed
me that I could not have slept half the time I had intended. The next
time, however, I awoke but a few embers were still burning.

I sprang to my feet, and rushing out threw on some sticks. I was
compelled to blow pretty hard to make them blaze up. I was afraid that
before they would do so the wolf might pay me a visit. Perhaps he might
appear with several companions.

I was greatly relieved when the flames once more blazed up, and on
looking round beyond them I could see no animal in the neighbourhood. I
therefore again retired within my hut, hoping that I might now rest
securely till daylight.

The appalling howls of the wolf still rung in my ears; and though I
slept on, it was under the impression that the monster was about to
attack me. I believe that the howlings were only in my own fancy, for
when I once more awoke and looked out it was broad daylight.

My horse was standing quietly cropping the remainder of the grass,
though there was little enough he could manage to reach. Having moved
the stake to a little distance, and cleared away the snow, so that he
might get at the grass