Memories of a Bear Hunter 



night. The route we followed several times passed 

 near the river, and the view was not reassuring, for 

 the stream seemed filled with a mass of running 

 ice in large blocks. When we came to the ford, 

 however, the ice was still, but careful examination 

 had to be made before trusting the team on it. For- 

 tunately three men were camped on the opposite 

 side, who at once responded to our inquiries, and 

 with their axes commenced sounding the ice for a 

 proper route for the wagon. 



Milo and I were silent but interested spectators. 

 The men reported that they had found a zigzag 

 route, which they thought safe under the circum- 

 stances. In the mean time I had told Milo of the 

 importance of crossing. Unless we made the trip 

 to-day it might be a week or more before we could 

 do so. My foot if none of the bones were broken 

 might by that time be in such a condition as to 

 prevent traveling. I preferred to risk the ice. I 

 asked Milo if he was willing to risk the passage, 

 and his answer came promptly, "Yes." 



"Then go ahead," was the response. 



I at once threw off all robes, being determined if 

 the team went through the ice, to make a fight for 

 life. If they did so, I knew that the current 

 would be strong enough to take them under the 

 ice, and I was determined to make an effort to 



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