ENCAMPMENT IN THE WILDERNESS 111 



low-pitched log-hut, similar to those used by the lum- 

 berers. The hut was erected in front of a small cave 

 which served us as an inner chamber and storehouse, 

 and added greatly to the warmth and comfort of our 

 dwelling. Outside the hut was overhung by trees grow- 

 ing on the tops of the rocks ; for we were in the bed of 

 the stream, about twelve feet above the water, and it was 

 impossible to conceive of a snugger or more picturesque 

 site. The cave was large enough to contain the canoe, 

 besides our beds and all our belongings ; and in winter 

 when the outside of the hut was completely covered with 

 snow, the place was so warm that we might have resided 

 in it without a fire had it been necessary. But we had 

 taken the precaution to make a substantial fireplace and 

 chimney of stone within the hut, and every available 

 space was packed with logs for firing, with several stacks 

 close at hand to be brought in as occasion required. All 

 this work was completed by the 12 th October, down to 

 which time we had had no severe weather, though there 

 were sharp frosts at night, and one day a few flakes of 

 snow fell which soon melted when the sun shone. 



In our journey hither from our first camp we did not 

 meet with a living soul, either Indian or trapper, but we 

 found a dead Indian in a tree. He had been dead so long 

 that the flesh had shrunk and hardened in a curious way, 

 giving the corpse a mummy-like appearance. The features 

 were quite gone, but there is no doubt that the body was 

 that of an Indian. He was firmly lashed to the boughs 

 of a tree about sixteen feet from the ground, and we sur- 

 mised that he had been so placed by his companions to 

 prevent beasts of prey from devouring him. He had 

 probably met his death from accident while on a trapping 

 expedition, or he may have been disposed of in this 

 manner according to the custom of his tribe. There 

 were several reasons why he may not have been 

 buried. The ground was so hard and rocky that 

 the making of a grave would have been a work of 



