TEE M1EAMICHI FIRE. 273 



down the rivers and streams). These men are, by the 

 nature of their work, compelled to camp in a different 

 place every night during the "freshet time," i.e. in the 

 spring, when fires are most likely to run; and when 

 starting in the morning, they often neglect to put out 

 their fires. 



In New Brunswick the settlers calculate events and 

 reckon time from a great fire, well known there as " the 

 Miramichi fire," which occurred, I think, in 1825. This 

 fire swept over most of the north of the province, causing 

 much loss of life and property. Such was the fury of the 

 conflagration that the Miramichi river, nearly a mile in 

 width, was not a sufficient barrier to arrest the flames, 

 which crossed over in the neighbourhood of Chatham. 

 The destruction of animal life was appalling. Moose left 

 New Brunswick about this time, and went to Nova Scotia ; 

 and I have no doubt that their departure may be attri- 

 buted to the Miramichi fire. Beaver and other fur suffered 

 severely. The fish, I am told, perished in the shallower 

 streams and lakes from the intense heat. Four or five 

 years ago, traces of this destructive fire, in the shape of 

 huge burnt upstanding rampikes, could be seen in the 

 devastated district, and probably remain 'there to this day. 



A man cruising in the woods ought never to be without 

 a pocket compass. Without one, in dull, overcast weather 

 the best woodsman cannot keep a straight line. The 

 tendency on these occasions is to walk in circles. It is 

 very annoying, but by no means unusual, to find oneself 

 after two hours' bard walking at the exact spot one started 

 from. Indeed, I have completed my circle in half an hour 

 when lost in the woods without a compass. I Lave re- 



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