190 THE ADIRONDACK. 



been saved from thrice the inconvenience it had occa- 

 sioned me. It was one of those new things in this 

 stereotyped life of ours, imparting new experiences, 

 and giving one as it were a deeper insight into his owi> 

 soul. 



At length we stretched ourselves upon the boughs, 

 and were soon fast asleep. I awoke, however, about 

 midnight, and found our fire reduced to a few em- 

 bers, while the rain was coming down as if that were 

 its sole business for the night. It is gloomy in the 

 woods without a fire ; and I never seem so com- 

 panionless as when in the still midnight I awake and 

 find nothing but the dark forest about me, cheered by 

 no light. A bright, crackling flame seems like a 

 living thing, keeping awake on purpose to watch over 

 you. 



Leaving my companions, whose heavy breathings 

 told how profound were their slumbers, I sallied out 

 in search of fuel. But there was nothing but green 

 fir trees, which would not burn, to be found ; and after 

 striking my axe into several, and getting my lower 

 extremities thoroughly wet, I returned, and lay down 

 again and slept till morning. With the first dawn I 

 was up, and taking the Indian's canoe, pushed off in 



