THE BUILDING OP THE CAMP. — NIGHT. 259 



for a roof. Then he cut and peeled bark from large, 

 smooth spruce-trees, — hacking around the tree near the 

 roots, and then again as high up as he could reach, and 

 cutting a line from top to bottom, — then peeling off the 

 bark with a wedge-like stick, in fact, " skinning" the tree 

 in a moment's time. This bark, in long broad sheets, was 

 laid on the roof-poles, rough side out, shingled and lapped, 

 and set up at the sides, with beveled ends tucked under 

 the roof, — the whole making a snug, perfectly rain-proof 

 camp, open in front, and before which a bright, cheerful 

 tire was speedilj' built. 



Our supper was of crackers oi' hard biscuits, maple 

 sugar, the hottest of tea, and the tenderest and most de- 

 licious broiled venison. Thus refreshed, life became at- 

 tractive again, although darkness was settling upon us and 

 the wind still roared through the tree-tops, and we heard 

 the grinding and groaning of the flood-wood b}" the shore, 

 and a tempestuous night was threatened. 



Rol)inson Crusoe and his man Fridaj^ (as we very readily 

 imagined (MU'selves) went down to the sliore and watched 

 the waves and coming night, and the white-caps gleaming 

 with the fierceness of the fangs of wild beasts. 



Night settled Ijlack and boisterous, but we lounged on 

 our bed of Ijouglis in camp before a cheerful blaze, smoked 

 and told stories of other adventures, until, without 

 knowing jll^ ; when or how it happened, \V(! were al)e(l and 

 asleep. In fi^ night. !here was rain which pattered harm- 

 lessly on our ;,ood roof. Half awake, at one time, I heard 

 stealthy steps on the leaves, and fired a rifle-shot as a 



