262 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



blown, wearied, and exhausted, I sat down on the trunk of 

 a fallen tree. The depression I felt will never be forgotten. 

 The terrible loneliness, the perfect solitude and monotony, 

 with the certainty of having to pass the night al fresco, 

 made my frame of mind any thing but enviable. The mos- 

 quitoes, which previously I had scarcely noticed, now put 

 in a claim for attention, my wretched plight seeming to 

 give them confidence, for they attacked me front, rear, and 

 flanks, in columns. It was useless to attempt to drive them 

 off ; their confidence would have been most commendable, 

 if engaged in a better cause. Night was rapidly approach- 

 ing, and the giant shadows had become indistinct in their 

 outline, mingling together in one dark gloom. Distant 

 rumbling of thunder portended a coming storm, reminding 

 me that I had better make all snug, as a dirty night was at 

 hand. 



I soon found a prostrate monarch of the forest, under 

 whose side I expected to find comparative shelter. In a 

 short space I had gathered sufficient debris and inflamma- 

 ble matter to make a fire, determining to sacrifice one of 

 my ducks to the implacable tormentor, hunger. Out of 

 the few matches I had four missed, or would not light; 

 but two more remained. With what care and anxiety did 

 I try the others ! Alas ! the head of No. 5 flew off, and 

 but one remained to save me from Erebus, and the incur- 

 sions of some erratic midnight prowler. With the utmost 

 care I undertook the trying ordeal of squeezing myself into 

 a corner, sheltering my hands with my cap, and sacrificing 

 a portion of the last letter from my lady-love for tinder. 

 Success rewarded me, and soon the surroundings were 

 brought out in deep relief by the brilliant glow, remind- 

 ing me of the deep contrast of light and shadow in one of 

 the much-admired pictures by Rembrandt. The rain was 

 not long delayed, and after a few premonitory drops came 



