118 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



melancholy and deep-toned hoot of the eagle-owl came 

 from the recesses of the woods, and at length the effect 

 became so unbearingly solemn and mysterious, that I felt 

 a relief on stepping back into our little circle, and blew 

 the embers lustily until spires of flame seized hold of the 

 fresh wood, and the brilliant fire-light shut out the som- 

 breness of the dismal night scene. 



The sun was long up, and shone brightly in our faces 

 ere we awoke the next morning, and certain indistinct 

 sounds of frying and savoury odours were mingled with 

 tha latter portions of our dreams. 



" Come on, Capten," said John ; " come on, and eat 

 some moose. This moose be very tender ; little later in 

 the fall not so good, though ; soon get tough and black." 



It was excellent, not partaking of the rank musky 

 flavour which later in the autumn pervades the whole 

 carcase. John fried some liver for himself, and we all 

 felt more inclined to bask out the day in the sun than to 

 prepare for a start homewards. However, a couple of 

 hours found us plodding through the forest, the Indian 

 bearing across his shoulders the broad antlers, which 

 necessitated great management to insinuate through the 

 denser thickets. John, however, knew a lumberer's path, 

 leading out towards the settlement, and we soon had 

 easy walking. Once or twice a stream must be crossed, 

 and it was most interesting on such occasions to watch 

 the ease and dexterity with which the Indian would 

 fell a large tree to serve for a bridge, and, heavily bur- 

 dened as he was, cross on the stem, lopping off the inter- 

 posing branches as he proceeded, to prepare it for our 

 passage. Poor Williams ! no assistance could be procured 

 at the settlement ; and, as we left him and started home- 



