88 THE PINE-TREE, OR 



the lake were so swampy that it was deemed impracticable to 

 perform the route around it, and it was finally determined to make 

 an efibrt to cross upon the ice. We had twelve oxen, which were 

 disposed of in the following order : the lightest yoke of oxen was 

 selected and driven in yoke before to test the strength of the ice, 

 and, in case the loaded teams should break through, to be used to 

 pull them out. These were our reserve. The next in the line 

 of march was a pair of oxen attached to a sled, with hay, &c. 

 Next in order was a four-ox team ; these were also attached to 

 a sled, loaded with hay and provisions ; and, finally, to bring up 

 the rear, still another four-ox team, with a loaded sled — all of 

 which were strung out at suitable distances, to prevent too much 

 weight coming upon any one point, thus rendering our passage 

 more safe. The word was given, when we all moved forward, 

 intending first to gain a point which ran out into the lake, cov- 

 ered with a thick small growth. The ice cracked and buckled 

 beneath our feet at every step. Proceeding in this way, we 

 gained the point in safety. It had by this time become late, and 

 the last rays of the setting sun gilded the tops of the towering 

 pines, which peered far up in the air above the surrounding forest . 



The night was very cold, and the wind swept up the lake with 

 a penetrating chill, which made us button up our garments close- 

 ly to prevent its too ready access to our bodies. Having gained 

 the point in safety, we were emboldened to set forward again 

 upon the main body of the lake, which was yet to be crossed. 

 Here the ice seemed less capable of sustaining our w^eight than 

 in the cove, which, from its protected position, had probably con- 

 gealed sooner than the main lake, which was more exposed to 

 the action of winds. 



Here the ice gave more alarming indications of its incapacity 

 to hold us. We had not proceeded more than three fourths of 

 a mile when the hindermost team broke through, sled and all, 

 which was very naturally accounted for, as the teams wliich pre- 



