OR, THE LAKE LANDS OF CANADA. 177 



finally struck the trail which I had passed over in the 

 morning. I was now in doubt in regard to the direction 

 which I should here take, but started off promptly, knowing 

 full well that I should soon recognize some familiar object. 

 I soon found myself once more on Long Lake. It was 

 now entirely clear to my mind what must be done. It was 

 only necessary for me to turn about and follow the trail 

 back to Beaver Pond ; which was very easily accomplished 

 owing to the fact that the passage of our party over the 

 same during the day had converted it into a well-marked 

 pathway. I soon reached this pond, but a new difficulty 

 was now encountered. The photographer and both guides 

 had moved forward from this spot towards the next lake, 

 taking with them all the baggage, and inasmuch as they 

 travelled in the canoes, the trail was lost at the water's 

 edge only a few feet from the spot where I had been in 

 the morning, but I did not know where I would be able 

 to pick it up again. There was no time to be lost. Dark- 

 ness would soon be on us. I now determined to walk 

 around the pond; a somewhat difficult task, owing to the 

 marshes or swamps that surrounded it. I was fortunate 

 in finding the trail made by our party where it left this 

 pond, and promptly started forward on it, being happily 

 rewarded by coming up with my friends after a brisk walk 

 of about twenty minutes. The trail that I was now fol- 

 lowing I found to be remarkably clear, owing to the fact 

 that it had been so recently made. The photographer and 

 guides had halted on the portage, erected their tents, and 

 were prepared to spend the night pleasantly. 



The deer-dogs were absent from the camp this morning 



12 



