440 A STORM. 



the promise of a fine day, and a. favourable 

 wind heightened the expectation that a consider- 

 able distance would be made ; but so little are 

 atmospheric appearances to be depended upon 

 in this tract, that after two hours' sailing the 

 whole sky became darkened, — -a mist rose, — and 

 the rain poured, not in drops, but in lines, as if 

 it fell from so many spouts ; the water, there- 

 fore, was soon above the stern sheets, and we 

 landed to find shelter, . and secure our remain- 

 ing provision. The gale soon increased to a 

 storm that brought with it heavy squalls and 

 thunder, and extinguished the fire nearly as fast 

 as it was lighted. However, by perseverance, 

 weather cloths, and sundry other expedients, we 

 got it at last fairly kindled — to our great content- 

 ment, for we had shot a fat deer, and were not 

 a little eager to change our accustomed dish of 

 old mouldy pemmican for so savoury a repast, 

 though eaten without salt, or any of those appli- 

 ances which luxury has invented for relieving 

 the insipidity and adding to the relish of plain 

 boiled meat. The storm continued from N. E. 

 all night ; and though the main-sail had been 

 thrown over the tent, it was quite ineffectual 

 to keep out the rain, which ran in streams 

 through both. At midnight there was a partial 

 lull, after which it freshened again, and soon 

 blew more furiously than ever, accompanied 



