TWO DIANAS IN ALASKA 283 



decided to follow its course up stream. Now, as a 

 rule, there is nothing more confusing to a lost man 

 who finds himself at the bank of a forest stream near 

 which his camp is situated; for unless he can recog- 

 nize some familiar landmark, he may be either above 

 or below his camp, and possibly may decide to follow 

 the river in a wrong direction for considerable dis- 

 tances before discovering his error. 



In this case we were more fortunate, since we knew 

 that if indeed this was the particular stream which 

 we sought, our only plan was to follow it up to its 

 source in the lake. Soon as we travelled along the 

 banks we came across familiar spots where fallen 

 trees blocked the watercourse, and just then if we 

 had needed further assurance that we headed straight 

 for home it was forthcoming. At no great distance 

 off a shot rang out, showing that our natives in the 

 camp were firing signals to guide us in the dark. 

 This was a welcome sound, and Ralph cheered up 

 amazingly, as he fired an answering shot to satisfy 

 the watchers. The cheerful gleams of firelight broke 

 upon us through the clustering tree stems, and 

 as we advanced Cecily and Agnes were easily dis- 

 cerned as they stood before the fi\es. 



Soon we all gathered to discuss an excellent meal 

 of moose steaks and grouse stew, dished up for us 

 by our men, and which tasted as good as if it had 

 been served in one of London's greatest restaurants, 

 although our cook was no cordon bleu. 



The ladies decided to stay the night, and the store 

 tent was made ready, where fortunately there was 



