84 THE GREAT NORTH-WEST 



over me, and lay with it folded under my head in place of a 

 pillow ; but a fire is always desirable at night. In the first 

 place, it makes wolves and foxes chary of approaching the 

 camp ; and though men have nothing to fear from these 

 animals, they will often make sudden grabs at provisions 

 and leather articles, even boots and belts, the loss of 

 which is a great inconvenience to travellers in uninhabited 

 districts. Moreover the light of a fire may be of great 

 use in the event of any unforeseen occurrence ; and is in 

 any event cheerful and comfort inspiring, I should say 

 that any temporary bivouac is styled " a camp " in the 

 American wilderness. 



