FOREST LIFE. 89 



ceded cracked and weakened the ice. The alarm was given 

 along the line, when the other teams stopped ; and while we were 

 preparing to extricate those already in, the next team of four 

 oxen dropped in also ; and finally they were all in at once, ex- 

 cept the reserve pair. Had they kept in motion, probably the 

 foremost teams might have escaped ; but, upon stopping, the ice 

 gradually settled, when in they went. There we were on that 

 bleak spot, with the shades of night fast settling down upon us, 

 and ten oxen struggling in the benumbing waters : business 

 enough, thought we. 



Standing upon the edge of the ice, a man was placed by the 

 side of each ox to keep his head out of the water. "We unyoked 

 one at a time, and, throwing a rope round the roots of his horns, 

 the warp was carried forward and attached to the little oxen, 

 whose services on this occasion were very necessary. A strong 

 man was placed on the ice at the edge, so that, lifting the ox by 

 his horns, he was able to press the ice down and raise his shoul- 

 der up on the edge, when the warp-oxen would pull them out. 

 For half an hour we had a lively time of it, and in an almost 

 incredible short time we had them all safely out, and drove them 

 back upon the point nearly a mile. It was now very dark. We 

 left our sleds in the water with the hay, pulling out a few arms- 

 ful, which we carried to the shore to rub the oxen down with. 

 Poor fellows ! they seemed nearly chilled to death, while they 

 shook as if they would fall to pieces. 



We built up a large fire, and, leaving the principal part of the 

 crew behind to take care of the oxen, I, with several of the hands, 

 started to find, if possible, the camps, where were waiting those 

 who had been previously engaged in making arrangements for 

 the winter. This was esteemed by some rather risky, as it was 

 getting very dark, and we did not know exactly which way to 

 shape our course. But the prospect seemed gloomy and unin- 

 viting to remain upon that bleak point all night, and, besides, 



