EMERGING FROM THE CAVE. 169 



occupant, it would be impossible for me in that 

 probably contracted space, involved in darkness, to 

 render him any assistance. 



With two or three pieces of birch-bark a couple 

 of feet long, rolled up so as to look like brown 

 piping, shoved into the bosom of his hunting-shirt, 

 and a torch of the same material in his hand, his 

 hunting-knife loosened in its sheath, and his rifle 

 ready for action, the obstinate old fellow for such I 

 considered him disappeared on all-fours into dark- 

 ness. For some minutes I could hear his advance, 

 and knew his position by the light he carried ; but 

 this soon ceased, concealed by some turning, or 

 obscured by the darkness. The only service I could 

 render now, was that of preventing any new enemy 

 from attacking my adventurous companion in rear. 

 The anxiety and suspense which I suffered was in- 

 tense. A cedar-bird, which twittered from a bough, 

 gave me such a start as to send my heart into my 

 mouth. At one moment I thought I heard a groan ; 

 afterwards a cracking sound; but an over- wrought 

 anxiety deceived my ears. 



There is generally a charm about mystery, but 

 there was none in the present case. Nothing could 

 equal my impatience, when, first one mocassin, 

 then another, afterwards leggings, and ultimately a 

 body, slowly made their appearance from the cave. 

 I shook with laughter, while the old fellow held out 

 to me a handful of hair, for his appearance had 

 considerably changed ; for his face, as well as the 



