nded, came trotting up to me; but seeing that I was a stranger, and
rather an odd-looking one too, off he went again. I thought how
satisfactory it would be if I could catch one of them to make it carry
me the rest of the journey. I remembered, however, that the animals
must belong to some one. Perhaps, however, the owner might lend one to
me. Crossing the meadow, I saw before me a wreath of smoke gracefully
curling up among the trees. It must proceed from some human habitation.
Was it from the hut of a white man or from the temporary encampment of
Indians? If the latter, would they prove friends or foes? Knowing the
necessity for precaution, I hid myself behind every bush and tree, till
I got into the wood, and then I advanced with equal care, looking out
ahead before I left my shelter, and stooping down in Indian fashion,
trailing my rifle and stick after me as I made my onward way.

I soon came to an open glade, in one corner of which appeared a
skin-covered wigwam, before the entrance to which sat two squaws busily
engaged in some culinary occupation. If found looking about I might
naturally have been suspected of treacherous intentions, so slinging my
rifle, and grasping my pole and fishing-rod in one hand, I advanced,
holding out the other. The old woman looked up, and uttered a few
grunts, but seemed in no way alarmed. What they took me for I do not
know. I must have seemed to them rather a strange character. I had
advanced a few paces, when two men sprang out of the hut. This was a
trying moment. Greatly to my satisfaction, they stretched out their
hands in a friendly way as I hobbled on towards them. Though they had
painted faces, and were dressed in skins, I saw by the kind expression
on their countenances that they commiserated my condition. Blood was
even then streaming from my feet. At once they lifted me up in their
arms and carried me into the hut, where they placed me on a couch of
skins, and the old woman brought water from the river which flowed close
by, and washed my feet, and bound them up with salves. The pain from
which I had so long been suffering quickly disappeared.

They then brought me a piece of salmon, which I thought delicious, and
some soup, which, under other circumstances, I might have thought
suspicious. This, with some roots which they roasted, made up a repast
more refreshing than I had eaten for a long time.

I could not speak a word of their language, nor did th