WINTER IN THE BACKWOODS 271 



several hundred yards from the one I had left. 

 The rock was perpendicular on the western 

 side near the base, and the huge stones above 

 appeared like tumbled houses. I walked to the 

 other side, and discovered a dense wood, and 

 noted that the heights could be reached with the 

 aid of the trees. 



" It was a rough and wearying conclusion to 

 the day's adventures, and when I reached the 

 last tree I paused to take breath. Viewed from 

 the water, the top ot the hill appeared absolutely 

 inaccessible, but when once reached it was found 

 to be exactly the opposite. Between huge boulders 

 were collected dry sticks, sand, and stones, and 

 so gradual did this render the ascent that the 

 climbing became easy. As I advanced a few 

 paces, the path became blocked by a huge rock, 

 but it was so indented by exposure to the weather 

 that natural steps had been formed. When I 

 had scrambled to the top of this I discovered a 

 well-sheltered hollow where I could safely pass 

 the night. My chief danger was freezing to 

 death, so I collected all the wood I could find, 

 and soon had a blazing fire. This light must 

 have appeared like a beacon for miles. I felt, 

 however, perfectly safe in my retreat. It was, 



