98 WILD SPORTS IX THE FAR AYEST. 



unarmed in the Avilderness. T cleared away the snow 

 from under a tree, lay down,- and tried to sleep ; but 

 the wind was too sharp, the cold insujiportable, and I 

 was afraid of being frozen. Driven to extremity, I 

 discharged my gun against the root of a tree, lighted a 

 match by the burning wadding, collected dry grass 

 and wood, and in a minute or two had a glorious 

 fire. 



Although I heard the howls of several wolves, I did 

 not mind them, but enjoyed a sound sleep. Cer- 

 tainly, on the following morning, I trudged on rather 

 out of spirits, with no powder, and a very hungry 

 stomach. 



I followed the direction of the river downwards, in 

 hopes of finding a house. After I had gone some dis- 

 tance, I saw an old, half-sunken canoe. I baled out 

 the water with my cap and found that she was still 

 serviceable. My former intentions of visiting Texas 

 returned in full force ; I decided on crossing to the 

 other side to look for a house, and procure food and 

 powder, and resolved then to strike off in a south-west 

 direction in search of the route to Texas. 



I had hardly gained the opposite bank when I dis- 

 covered a large flock of wild turkeys. I took aim, and 

 pulled the trigger, forgetting that I had not loaded: 

 they took to the trees on my approach, and I suffered 

 the tortures of Tantalus at the sight; but there was 

 no help for it, and I was obliged to pass on. As it 

 always happens in such cases, I saw quantities of game 

 this day. 



Cold and cloudy descended the night, bringing with 

 it the dreaded north wind ; I was obliged to lie do^\Ti 



