PRIMITIVE LIFE. 



19 



plucking my trousers till my attention was attracted, 

 when he would move off in the direction desired, 

 frequently looking round to sec if I was coming. 

 Latterly there was no necessity for the first part of 

 the performance, his expression being amply sufficient 

 to tell me his wishes. 



After setting the trap, we crossed the lake to see 

 what could be obtained for supper, as I had deter- 

 mined to camp out for the night, in order to facilitate 

 my return to the bower house on the morrow. 



I was in luck's way, for in a short time I procured 

 some wood grouse, and several splendid black bass, 

 the finest of America's freshwater fishes. So with 

 the tea, bread, pepper, and salt, which I had brought 

 with me, I very soon had in preparation an excellent 

 and substantial supper. 



Never was an animal so much in his element as 

 Prince was on such occasions. Possibly he might 

 have thought that then he had his master all to 

 himself, and that he was responsible for his security 

 during the silent and dark hours of night. Whether 

 so or not, the little dog became transformed into 

 a very big one indeed, if he were judged by the 

 airs of importance he assumed. Of course, on 

 these occasions he always got a corner of his 

 master's blanket, sometimes a very big corner 

 indeed, for, like human creatures, he would at times 

 presume. 



At first, when I passed the night alone, camping 

 out in the backwoods, I would feel very lonely, and 

 sometimes, I am not ashamed to say, frightened ; 

 but this soon wears off, and is replaced by a love for 

 this primitive mode of life that truly becomes 

 fascinating. In early autumn in America this is 

 particularly so, for the temperature is all that can be 

 desired ; wood for your fire is abundant, and rain is 

 then rarely known. Again, from sunset to sunrise your 

 ear is incessantly greeted with the musical notes of 



C 2 



