ALONE IN THE FOREST. 167 



beside me.' (Nelson was a powerful Newfoundland dog, 

 and as brave as a lion.) 



"I fastened my bundle about his neck, and he trotted 

 beside me, proud of the burden of which my arms had 

 become very weary. 



"I thought I would return and try the track I 

 followed first, but noticing that there was a clearing of 

 the trees ahead of me, I pushed on, thinking I was not 

 far from some lumberer's shanty or the log-house of one 

 of the Irish settlers. Nor was I mistaken, for a few 

 minutes brought me to the edge of a newly chopped 

 fallow, and I heard the barking of a dog, which I had 

 mistaken for the cry of a wolf. 



" The moon had set, and I judged it must be getting 

 late into the night. I peeped through the curtainless 

 window of the shanty. The glimmering light from a 

 few burning brands on the hearth and the smouldering 

 red embers of a huge back log in the wide, clay-built 

 chimney showed me the interior of the rude cabin. 



" The inmates were all sleeping soundly. The growl- 

 ing of the cur as he retreated in fear of my big dog had 

 failed to rouse them, so I took French leave and stepped 

 in without further ceremony than a light tap with my 

 hand on the door. 



" On a rude bed in the recess formed between the log 

 walls and the chimney lay two women. One, the elder, 

 not undressed, was lying on the coverlet, while the 

 younger with fever-flushed cheeks lay restlessly tossing 

 on the bed beside her. 



