220 A CAMP PROPOSED. 



under the gloomy influence of his silent companions. 

 At first the old hunter had ventured to make an occa- 

 sional remark, in the hope of starting some conversa- 

 tion. But finding them unresponsive, he broke out 

 with 



" This hyur boat ur an undertaker's hearse, it 'pears 

 to this coon. I'm not agin lookin' sober for a leetle, 

 now an' agin, when a friend goes under. But the boot's 

 on the other leg altogether when fellurs makes day an' 

 night of it, an' puts the sun in their pockets. It ain't 

 fair, fellurs, I tell yer. Brighten up thur, will yer! 

 Ef I've got to run this hunt in traces wi' two dummies, 

 I guess I'm out o' it." 



This rough hint had the desired effect, and both the 

 young men made an effort to shake off the oppression 

 on their spirits. This became more easy as the distance 

 between them and the scene of the tragedy increased. 

 The genial skies, sparkling water, and ever present fra- 

 grant forest, helped them to combat their gloomy re- 

 flections ; and in the course of a week or two they had 

 in a great degree recovered their equanimity. An 

 incident or two occurred which broke in upon the 

 monotonous routine of travel. 



It was evening, and the party had landed as usual 

 about sundown, in order to encamp for the night. As 

 the sky looked threatening, Jake proposed that they 

 should construct a good camp to protect them from the 

 impending storm. To this suggestion both Pierre and 

 Gaultier assented, and presently the neighbourhood 



