11)0 WILD 81'OIITS IN THK FAR WEST. 



not much approve, for the sky foreboded a change. 

 Dai'k masses of cloud assembled in the south, and the 

 air became perceptibly warmer. I dreaded the conse- 

 quences. 



On the 5th of February it began to thaw, yet I 

 would not all at once give up my hopes of the 

 buffaloes, till several abortive attempts to find the 

 trail convinced me of the fruitlessness of further pursuit. 

 Shower followed shower. In a few hours all the beau- 

 tiful snow had disappeared, leaving a waste of waters, in 

 which no trail was visible. 



I had now to ponder within myself what was best 

 to be done, but the approaching night soon settled that 

 matter. The darkness and pouring rain informed me 

 that there was nothing to be attempted at present. A 

 fire was out of the question, and I cowered under a 

 half-fallen tree, to be sheltered as much as possible 

 from the rain. I had some broiled venison in my 

 bag, but felt no appetite, and passed a miserable 

 night, shivering with cold. The wolves seemed al- 

 most tame, for some came within a few paces of me, 

 and howled awfully. I was in such a state of despon- 

 dency that I would not take the trouble to draw my 

 knife, because I should have had to move ; besides, in 

 the humor I was in, it almost seemed that to be shaken 

 by wolves till I was warm would have been rather 

 pleasant than otherwise. 



I did not close an eye the whole night, and longed 

 eagerly for the first gleam of day, which at last broke 

 gloomily through the dark forest. 



The rain ceased, and a damp thin mist lay upon the 

 swamp. I cut a slice of venison, and all my salt being 



