226 THE GREAT NORTH-WEST 



swine in the occupied forests, especially as the wolf, like 

 the bear, is a dear lover of pork. 



I have already mentioned the beaver-meadows which 

 abound everywhere in this country, even in the forests, 

 where there is now no trace of running water ; while along 

 the banks of the streams the whole of the land shows 

 traces of the handiwork of these little animals. It was 

 also said that a few beavers still survived the persecution 

 to which they had been subjected ; but though I made a 

 careful search I could not find a single beaver, or the 

 recent traces of one. The fact is that had any been 

 discovered, not many hours would have elapsed before 

 some prowling " hunter " of the drinking-saloon type had 

 bagged the lot. At this hour it may safely be prophesied 

 that not a single wolf or beaver remains in any of the 

 older States of the Union. 



I spent many days wandering about these woods and 

 the country generally, often lying on the ground at 

 night in the awe-inspiring gloom of the never, or rarely, 

 visited forest, but sometimes lodging at isolated farms 

 and huts, where I was always sure of a hospitable 

 welcome. There was nothing in this life to warrant 

 my presenting a narrative to the reader in journal or 

 any other form. Though I was often many miles from 

 a habitation of any sort, I never but once met with a 

 serious adventure. I was one evening approaching a 

 farm where I intended to ask a night's welcome, when 

 I perceived two stalwart fellows leave the door and come 

 in my direction. I had had sufficient experience to per- 

 ceive that they were tender-feet, or worthless characters, 

 and I tried to avoid them by making a detour, the house 

 being still half a mile distant, but they made straight 

 for me. 



" I say, boss, you ain't got a bit of 'bacca, have you ? 

 A bit as big as a bee 'ul do," began the first rascal. 

 " I don't smoke," I said shortly. 

 " Look here, boss," said the first fellow while the other 



