THE CAMP AT MIDNIGHT. 251 



Each shouldered his share of the venison, and stag- 

 gering along the uncertain paths, the hunters soon 

 traversed the distance which divided them from the 

 Athabasca, whose glittering waters they presently 

 descried through the opening branches ahead. As 

 they approached the camp, two wolves dashed into 

 view from under the shadow of the hut, and disap- 

 peared in the forest. 



" Wagh," exclaimed Jake, " ef I'd a knowed them 

 varmints wur thur, I'd a let Plumcentre into 'em. That's 

 sartin." 



A fire soon blazed in front of the hut, and its ruddy 

 glow diffused a cheerful air around the spot. The 

 moonlight, by contrast, seemed ghastly, wan, and cold ; 

 the midnight breeze stirred the surface of the river; 

 the wild howl of wolves resounded through the forest ; 

 and that instinctive perception which tells the watcher 

 that midnight has arrived, was felt by our trappers. 

 After supper they replenished the fire, and then lay 

 down in the doorway of the hut, where they soon sank 

 into unconsciousness. 



