CHAPTER IX 



OUT OF THE FOREST 



SEPTEMBER 12th was a lovely crisp morn- 

 ing with a touch of frost in the air. The lake 

 was looking perfect as we turned our backs on 

 it, leaving the game country and all the 

 chances of another wapiti behind. It was hard 

 luck and I think we were all more or less 

 depressed. 



We made a good march down the Spruce 

 valley till we struck Keogh Lake in the early 

 afternoon. This was the route by which we 

 should have come in, as it was fairly open, more 

 so than any other portion of the forest we had 

 gone through. The timber was very fine. A 

 small creek ran down the valley, and along it 

 there were many beaver dams. 



Beavers are still protected by law through- 

 out the island. We saw a large one swimming 

 across Keogh Lake when in camp on our way 

 in, and at night more than once heard the 

 curious noise the beaver makes striking the 



water with his tail as he dives when frightened. 



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