MR. o'b. resolves ON MADNESS. 307 



After several futile attempts to cross tlie stream, 

 The Assiniboine sat dov^n with his wife and son, 

 and refused to go any further. We did not attempt 

 to argue the matter, but, merely remarking that we 

 did not intend to give in without another struggle, 

 took the axes, and renewed the search for a crossing 

 place. Having at length discovered a shallow place, 

 and cut a path to it, we led the horses into the water, 

 but the mud was so soft and deep, and the banks 

 so beset with slippery logs, that they could not climb 

 up, and rolled back into the water. At this juncture 

 The Assiniboine, fairly put to shame, came to our as- 

 sistance, and we unpacked the animals and hauled them 

 out. We were quite benumbed by standing so long 

 up to our waists in the ice-cold water, and after we had 

 got the horses across, as the rain still poured down, 

 we camped on a little mound in the midst of the 

 dismal swamp. There was no chance of finding any 

 other provision, and we therefore led out another horse 

 and shot him at once. Another day was occupied in 

 drying the meat, and in mending our tattered garments 

 as before. Mr. O'B., who, it is only justice to say, 

 had improved vastly under his severe trials, was now 

 plunged in the depths of despair. He confided to us 

 that he loathed Paley, whom he looked upon as a 

 special pleader ; that his faith was sapped to its founda- 

 tions, and — '' curis ingentihus cBger'' — ^he was rapidly be- 

 coming insane, adding that he should have lost his 

 wits long ago but for his book ; and now, since he must 

 be deprived of that consolation, there could be but 

 one horrible result — madness. And in truth we had 



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