266 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



my frame of mind anything but enviable. The mosquitoes, 

 which previously I had scarcely noticed, now put in a claim 

 for attention, my wretched plight seeming to give them 

 confidence, for they attacked me front, rear, and flanks, in 

 columns. It was useless to attempt to drive them off; 

 their confidence would have been most commendable, if 

 engaged in a better cause. Night was rapidly approaching, 

 and the giant shadows had become indistinct in their out- 

 line, mingling together in one dark gloom. Distant 

 rumbling of thunder portended a coming storm, reminding 

 me that I had better make all snug, as a dirty night was at 

 hand. 



I soon found a prostrate monarch of the forest, under 

 whose side I expected to find comparative shelter ; in a 

 short space I had gathered sufficient debris and flammable 

 matter to make a fire, determining to sacrifice one of my 

 ducks to the implacable tormentor, hunger. Out of the few 

 matches I had, four missed, or would not light ; but two 

 more remained. With what care and anxiety did I try the 

 others! Alas! the head of No. 5 flew off, and but one 

 remained to save me from Erebus, and the incursions of 

 some erratic midnight prowler. With the utmost uare I 

 undertook the trying ordeal of squeezing myself into a 

 corner, sheltering my hands with my cap, and sacrificing 

 a portion of the last letter from my lady-love for tinder ; 

 success rewarded me, and soon the surroundings were 

 brought out in deep relief by the brilliant glow, reminding 

 me of the deep contrast of light and shadow in one of the 

 much-admired pictures by Rembrandt. The rain was not 

 long delayed, and after a few premonitory drops, came 



