284 STORM ON LA KE A THA BASCA . 



in the lake of that name. The night was spent as 

 usual, and in the morning the journey was continued. 

 But the storm still raged, although the direction of the 

 wind had changed, and rendered the task of crossing 

 the lake both difficult and dangerous. 



Jake, however, anticipated a quick run across to 

 Fort Chepewyan on the farther shore, where he looked 

 forward to a fresh supply of tobacco and other neces- 

 saries, which had become exhausted on their somewhat 

 protracted journey. 



While the raft was under the lee of the forest, the 

 full force of the wind was not experienced ; but once 

 beyond its shelter, the party began to regret the indis- 

 cretion of having ventured upon so large a lake when 

 lashed into fury by a storm. The seas were short and 

 choppy, and whenever the wind attained its utmost 

 force, the water broke in a deluge over the raft, sweep- 

 ing away some articles which had been carelessly 

 secured. 



Towards the east and north-east, as far as the eye 

 could reach, extended a waste of green foam-crested 

 billows, rising in angry undulations against the leaden 

 horizon, while behind the distant forest receded rapidly, 

 and soon a surging world of hungry waters surrounded 

 them on every side. Both Pierre and Gaultier shivered 

 as the tempest tore the spray from the crests of the 

 waves and hurled it over them in sheets, drenching 

 them to the skin. The raft laboured heavily, hardly 

 rising over the billows, which indeed had full play over 



