104 



THE ADIRONDACK. 



the rest of our companions, and we started off. We 

 had nothing to eat, and seven weary miles were to be 

 measured before we could reach the nearest clearing. 

 What with the night I had passed, and that seven 

 miles' tramp on an empty stomach, I was completely 

 knocked up. The clear morning air could not revive 

 me — my rifle seemed to weigh fifty pounds — my legs 

 a hundred and fifty, and I pushed on, more dead than 

 alive. At length we emerged into a clearing, and 

 there, in a log hut, sat our teamster, quietly eating 

 his breakfast. The day before, he had started through 

 the forest ; but becoming frightened at the wildness 

 and desolation that increased at every step, had turned 

 back — choosing to leave us to our fate rather than 

 .run the risk of making a meal for wolves and bears. 

 I could have seen him flogged with a good will, I was 

 so indignant. Hungry, cross, and weary, we sat down 

 to breakfast, and then stowed ourselves away into a 

 lumber wagon, and rode thirty miles to our respective 

 stopping-places. The little settlement seemed like a 

 large village to me, and the inhabitants the most re- 

 fined 1 had ever met. 



Several days' rest here has restored me, and I be- 

 gin to feel my system rally, and am conscious of 



