LUDICROUS APPEARANCE OF THE BOWMAN. 105 



also a few roses yet in bud, the colour of which 

 was a deeper red than that of the roses which 

 grow more south. A brood of young ducks was 

 likewise observed. 



The party at length returned : the animal 

 being small was slung on the bowman's back ; 

 and as he had placed a stick in its mouth to 

 keep the jaws apart, and then tucked the head 

 under his arm, his appearance, as he brushed 

 through the wood, was ludicrous enough. 



The evening being far advanced, we took 

 advantage of a snug bay that completely shel- 

 tered the canoe from danger, and very soon after 

 La Prise also arrived. He stated that after my 

 departure he had discovered that the frost of 

 the preceding night had split the canoe in 

 several places, which at once accounted for its 

 leaking ; and that having repaired it, he pre- 

 ferred the risk of coming on to the chance of 

 being left behind. The truth was, that having 

 no provision of their own, his party regularly 

 was supplied from our stock, and could ill brook, 

 therefore, even a short separation. The aurora 

 was brilliant, and in rapid motion until midnight, 

 when the wind increased so much, that we could 

 not move from the bay. The hunters were des- 

 patched in every likely direction to find deer ; 

 and, though unsuccessful, were much pleased at 

 the many recent tracks they had seen. 



