148 JAKE CARRIES THE DA Y. 



was the question of time. To break up the journey, 

 set up camp, and begin trapping in this region, would 

 entail the loss of much time. Besides, it is surprising 

 how easily under such circumstances persons lounge 

 the days away, and finally find the further prosecution 

 of an expedition impossible. 



Jake was in favour of staying, and " clearin' out the 

 critters right away;" Gaultier was neutral; while 

 Pierre, perhaps from impatience to arrive as soon as 

 possible at Mr. Frazer's Fort, voted for continuing the 

 journey. 



After considerable argument on both sides, Jake 

 finally carried the day. It was therefore determined 

 to camp in the neighbourhood of the Twin Lakes, as 

 Gaultier called them, and to prosecute an attack on 

 their amphibious inhabitants. 



Having finally settled this matter, the three hunters 

 left the lakes and proceeded towards the camp, which 

 was several miles away through the woods. So much 

 time had been consumed during the morning hunt, and 

 in the subsequent examination of the lakes and beaver 

 dams, that the declining sun was already beginning 

 to throw long shadows, and shot his beams midway 

 through the foliage. The pools of the stream that con- 

 nected the two lakes, which at an ^arlier hour had 

 received a golden tinge from the sunlight, now wheeled 

 in inky eddies round the stones, or flowed gloomily 

 along beneath the pendent branches of the birches. 

 The summits of the trees still confessed the influence 



