AN UNPLEASANT PREDICAMENT. 109 



the inflammable vegetation being confined to the small 

 open space in which the camp had been pitched. 

 Fortunately only some half-dozen trees took fire, and 

 these being detached at a considerable distance from 

 the main forest behind, the conflagration soon died out. 



The trappers now found themselves in a very un- 

 pleasant predicament. They were many miles from the 

 fort which they had left behind them at the Forks, 

 while at least an hundred miles of wilderness separated 

 them from Fort Chepewyan on Lake Athabasca. 

 Dense forest would have to be threaded, through which 

 it would be almost impossible to force their way if they 

 attempted either to advance or to retreat on foot. 



The only alternative was to construct a canoe as best 

 they might, or a raft, on which to continue their 

 journey towards Fort Chepewyan. Once arrived there, 

 they had little doubt that they could procure either 

 another canoe or horses on which they could reach Fort 

 Vermilion on the Peace River. 



"Thur's no need o' lookin' so bumfoozled about it 

 eyther," said old Jake, as he remarked the blank ex- 

 pression of his companions' faces. " I reckin we're no 

 greenhorns out for a day's foolin' in the woods. Hyur's 

 trees a plenty, an' we've got our hatchets, I guess. 

 We'll soon trim up a raft that'll carry us down stream 

 like a breeze. Kim, fellurs, git yer axes an' shove." 



This appeal roused the youths from their momentary 

 fit of dejection, and under the cheery influence of old 

 Jake's manner they soon recovered their usual good 



