78 A SPORTING PARADISE 



on a moonlight night, and the baying of a deer- 

 hound running on a strong scent. 



" Searching among the arched rocks I discovered 

 a cave, the entrance of which was partially blocked 

 with snow. As this appeared to suit my purpose, 

 I worked hard to clear away an opening to admit 

 my body. This cave was situated about twenty 

 yards from the blaze-path, and therefore in a 

 good position to spy upon a dangerous neighbour. 

 A backwoodsman is accustomed to roughing it, 

 and even when housed by a friend, regards a 

 place reserved for his use near the stove as 

 ample hospitality. He is only too glad to wrap 

 himself up in furs, and sleep, without the 

 necessary watch-fire and anxious awakenings. It 

 was too dark thoroughly to explore this sub- 

 terranean place, though I observed, as I entered, 

 that the rocks above sloped downward from a 

 considerable height, and formed a roof so lofty 

 that I could not touch it with my hands out- 

 stretched above my head. There was a large 

 heap of dry leaves upon the floor, and these I 

 shovelled together to form a soft couch, and it 

 was not long before I fell asleep. How strangely 

 different was my bedchamber from that of the 

 previous night ! Neither could have been styled 



