OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 



= 33 



snow, while the side walls were yet standing. There was 

 no time to be lost. The necessary preparations must be 

 made for the night. It was determined to remove the 

 snow and debris from the cabin in order that we mieht 

 occupy it. Both the captain and myself set to the per- 

 formance of this work with much energy. It was now 

 more pleasant to work than to remain idle. Work brought 

 with it warmth and comfort, while inactivity was attended 

 with a chattering of the teeth and physical suffering. 

 These efforts did not cease until we had in some measure 

 accomplished our object. The snow and rubbish had been 

 partially removed and a new roof placed on the old walls 

 of the cabin. The fire was built within this structure ; a 

 hole in the roof nearly four feet square had been left for 

 the escape of the smoke, besides which great openings 

 remained in the side walls and roof, through which the 

 starry heavens were visible. The evening meal consisted 

 of an abundance of hot cramper and tea ; we had reserved 

 the duck for our breakfast. The only blankets we had 

 with us had been dug up from beneath the snow that had 

 drifted under the lean-to on Moose Hill, and were, there- 

 fore, wet. We spent much of the evening in attempting 

 to dry them before our fire. These blankets were finally 

 arranged within the cabin and we attempted to secure 

 sleep, but the cold was so intense as to seriously interfere 

 with this purpose, although the physical efforts made by 

 us during the day strongly predisposed us in this direction. 

 The captain was up and moving two hours before the dawn 

 of day. He promptly, after rising, paid special attention 

 to the fire ; the increased warmth diffused itself through 



