CHAPTER VI. 



THE HUNTERS LEAVE THE CAVE DISAPPEARANCE OF THE CANOE THE BODY OF 

 THE INDIAN CANOE FOUND DECIDE ON A ROUTE DOWN THE ATHABASCA 

 WOOD BUFFALO THROUGH THE FOREST STALKING THE BUFFALO THE 

 ATTACK OLD JAKE'S ADVENTURE WITH THE BULL " TREED" PIERRE 

 AND GAULTIER COME TO HIS AID JAKE'S ACCOUNT OF THE ADVENTURE. 



IT was late on the following morning when the hunters 

 awoke. The gloom of the cavern no doubt fostered 

 their slumbers, so that it was with a feeling of surprise 

 that Pierre, who was the first to rise, saw from the 

 entrance of the cave that morning was already con- 

 siderably advanced. 



The waters of the creek had now nearly relapsed to 

 their ordinary level; and at this intimation Gaultier 

 and Jake, with many a yawn and stretch, upreared 

 their drowsy forms from the bearskin rugs and set 

 about preparing breakfast. 



This was a simple affair. They had neither coffee 

 nor biscuits, and they had to content themselves with 

 dry cariboo venison broiled over their insufficient fire. 

 It may be supposed that they did not linger over 

 their meal, which, in fact, hardly occupied them for 

 five minutes. 



They then made preparations to depart. Pierre 



