FORT MILTON COMPLETED. 83 



frozen over above and below the Fort, but an open 

 passage still existed at tlie nsual crossing-place, and 

 tbe barge was tbe means of conveyance from one ice- 

 bank to tbe other. 



The cart was loaded on the ice, and before it 

 reached the shore, broke through and upset, im- 

 mersing Bucephalus in the water. Fortunately it 

 was not very deep, and after some delay he was 

 lugged out. In a few minutes he appeared in a new 

 character, white as if made of frosted silver, and 

 bristling like a hedgehog with the long icicles which 

 formed on his shaggy coat as the w^ater dripped off. 

 It took a long time to unload the cart, haul it out, 

 carry the things to the bank, and re-load ; and the horse, 

 ice-clothed and shivering in the bitter north wind, w^as 

 a most pitiable object. However, a brisk march of 

 ten miles set him all right again, and the party 

 arrived at Fort Milton, as La Eonde had named our 

 hut, without further adventure, early on the third day. 



During their absence Milton and La Eonde had 

 not been idle. A couple of bunks had been put up, 

 which, furnished with dry grass and buffalo robe, 

 were to us most luxurious sleeping-places. The door 

 and parchment window^s were completed, and two 

 rough tables, one for the kitchen^ department, and an- 

 other for the dining end of our small, one-roomed hut. 



On the 7th of November La Eonde started across 

 the lake, on which the ice was already four or five 

 inches thick, to explore the forest on the northern side, 

 and discover the most promising ground for trapping. 

 During his absence we were engaged in putting up 



G 2 



