98 WILD SPORTS IX TIIK FAR WEST. 



unarmed in the wilderness. I cleared away the snow 

 from under a tree, lay down, and tried to sleep ; but 

 the wind was too sharp, the cold insupportable, and I 

 was nfraid of being fro/en. Driven to extremity, I 

 discharged my gun against the root of a tree, lighted a 

 match by the burning wadding, collected dry grass 

 and wood, and in a minute or two had a glorious 

 fire. 



Although I heard the howls of several wolves, I did 

 not mind them, but enjoyed a sound sleep. Cer- 

 tainly, on the following morning, I trudged on rather 

 out of spirits, with no powder, and a very hungry 

 stomach. 



I followed the direction of the river downwards, in 

 hopes of finding a house. After I had gone some dis- 

 tance, I saw an old, half-sunken canoe. I baled out 

 the water with my cap and found that she was still 

 serviceable. My former intentions of visiting Texas 

 returned in full force ; I decided on crossing to the, 

 other side to look for a house, and procure food and 

 powder, and resolved then to strike off in a south-west 

 direction in search of the route to Texas. 



I had hardly gained the opposite, bank when I dis- 

 covered a large flock of wild turkeys. I took aim, and 

 pulled the trigger, forgetting that I had not loaded: 

 they took to the trees on my approach, and I suffered 

 the tortures of Tantalus at the sight ; hut there was 

 no help for it, and I was obliged to p:t<> on. A< it 

 always happens in such eases, I >a\v quantities of game 

 this day. 



Cold and cloudy descended the night, briirjing with 

 it the dreaded north wind ; I was, obliged to lie do\\ 11 



