202 FLY-FISHING IN MAINE LAKES. 



its deserted look, the cabin had been occupied 

 within a very short time. 



" This of itself was of trifling consequence ; but 

 putting the actions of my drivers, the broken axle, 

 and the ' friend's ' house together, I certainly felt 

 that I had some cause for alarm : so, taking the 

 benefit of their absence to give my pistol a careful 

 examination, I sat down, and took a mental review 

 of affairs, concluding with wondering what the ' old 

 folks at home ' would think if they knew just how 

 .their hopeful son was being entertained. 



"It was the 22d of December, Forefathers' Day, 

 Old Style ; and, remembering it, I compared situa- 

 tions, and came to the conclusion that there was 

 not much to choose between us. 



" I had but a short time, however, for reflections ; 

 as the drivers very soon returned, and prepared the 

 bunks for our reception. The day, which had been 

 cloudy, now began to show signs of a storm ; and, 

 before darkness had come, the snowflakes were 

 rapidly falling, and soon the ground was completely 

 covered. I thought the men exchanged sinister 

 glances, as if the snow-fall was not at all to their 

 liking. Aside from this, I saw nothing of a suspi- 

 cious nature. 



" We ate our supper together, they appearing as 

 companionable as one could wish ; and, after a 



