FISHERMEN. 243 



remained from our fire, and a flame soon blazed joy- 

 fully aloft. The unknown tried to outstrip us by 

 heaping fuel on their fire, for it sent forth a loftier 

 flame than previously. They had evidently recognised 

 our signal, for their course was now directly towards 

 us. In twenty minutes afterwards, the welcome sound 

 of voices speaking our own tongue hailed us. The 

 strangers were the persons we sought. 



Never in the whole course of my life was I more 

 agreeably surprised than with the three men who 

 landed from the canoe. I had expected them to be 

 similar to the crowd from whom they were an off- 

 shoot, but the case was quite the reverse, thus 

 accounting for their dissolution of partnership. All 

 were dressed in rough attire, but their manner was 

 kind, and denoted education. The principal, who 

 was about five-and-thirty, and did not stand over 

 five feet six, looked and spoke like a gentleman, and 

 he, with the others, extended to us a most hearty 

 welcome, offering us a share of their camp, and food 

 as long as we thought proper to accept their hospi- 

 tality. In a trice a number of their best fish were 

 cooking on our fire, and every office that demanded 

 exertion was executed by them in spite of all we 

 could say to the contrary. Our poor horses, even, 

 received their attentions, and many a word of con- 

 dolence was vouchsafed them, many a caress was 

 bestowed upon them, intermingled with expressions 

 of commiseration for their shattered condition. 



Before retiring it was arranged that my com- 



