FOREST LIFE. 65 



helmsman was upon his feet, and, raising his paddle in a most 

 menacing attitude over the head of the intoxicated man, " D — n 

 you I" said he, " if you move again I'll split your skull open !" 

 The threat was terrihle, and he would have cleft his head open 

 in an instant. I expected he would strike, for our lives depend- 

 ed uj)on quieting him in some way ; but the fellow seemed to 

 awake to our perilous condition, and slunk down into the bot- 

 tom of the boat. "We put about-instantly for the shore, and in a 

 few moments touched the beach. "With a willing step I placed 

 my feet on terra iirma once more. 



It was then determined that part of the crew should remain, 

 while the others should cross the lake, vmload the provisions, and 

 return for those left behind. Four men were accordingly left, 

 and I was glad to make one of the number, though left upon a 

 wild and unfrequented spot, without food or shelter, with the 

 prospect of spending the greater portion of the night there, even 

 should the rest of the crew make a successful trip ; and, in the 

 event of their being swamped, a thing by no means impossible, 

 for sometimes the wind suddenly rises, and in a very short time 

 lashes the lake into foaming waves, in which case the skiff could 

 not live, then the circuit of the lake must be performed, and days 

 must elapse before relief could be obtained ; but still, with these 

 certainties and probable contingencies before us, we were glad 

 to feel mother earth under the soles of our feet. By the time 

 these matters had been fixed, the darkness had shut out the 

 western shore entirely from view ; our comrades, therefore, only 

 shaped their course by the fire which we had kindled upon the 

 shore, and which we kept burning by a constant supply of brush 

 and the most inflammable wood that could be procured. 



Not having had much experience in the wilderness at this time, 

 and never under such peculiar circumstances, I felt somewhat 

 timid and apprehensive, as we were far from relief and the abodes 

 of civilization, and in a region where bears, wolves, and a dan- 



