LIGHT ON THE SUBJECT. 183 



this-a-way. Kim down hyur, one o' yer, an' help me 

 out o' this. I'm dumflummoxed wi' swingin' around." 



Much astonished at the sudden commotion, the 

 awakened youths descended to the old hunter's assist- 

 ance, and after some difficulty contrived to extricate 

 him from his uncomfortable predicament. This was at 

 length satisfactorily accomplished; and on regaining 

 their position the origin of the mishap became evident. 

 Gaultier's rifle was invisible where he had left it ; but 

 on searching beneath the tree it was discovered, having 

 evidently been recently discharged. 



The incautious youth had dropped it in his sleep, 

 with the result we have already described. We will 

 draw a veil over the scenes which ensued. Old Jake 

 was " over the traces," and many were the hard things 

 said of " tender feet," " greenhorns," and " goneys." In 

 truth, the old hunter was conscious of the ridiculous 

 figure which he had presented, and he felt that his 

 dignity as a veteran mountain-man had suffered some 

 abatement by the incident. 



The uproar which attended this adventure having 

 disturbed the neighbourhood, the party decided that to 

 remain longer in their place of concealment would be 

 profitless. They therefore descended, and by the aid 

 of the moon they shortly gathered a mighty pile of 

 withered brushwood, which when lighted threw its 

 ruddy glare far over the waters of the lake, and glowed 

 warmly on the gray and brown tree trunks which stood 

 thickly around. 



