10 JOURNEY TO THE SHORES 



stones which lay scattered in every direc- 

 tion, the unusual warmth of the weather had 

 dissolved the snow, which not only kept us 

 constantly wet, but deprived us of a firm 

 footing, so that the men, with their heavy 

 burdens, were in momentary apprehension 

 of falling. In the afternoon a fine herd of 

 deer was descried, and the Indians, who are 

 always anxious for the chase, and can hardly 

 be restrained from pursuing every animal 

 they see, set out immediately. It was late 

 when they returned, having had good suc- 

 cess, and bringing with them five tongues, 

 and the shoulder of a deer. We made 

 about twelve miles this day. The night 

 was fine, and the Aurora Borealis so vivid, 

 that we imagined, more than once, that we 

 heard a rustling noise like that of autumnal 

 leaves stirred by the wind ; but after two 

 hours of attentive listening, we were not 

 entirely convinced of the fact. The corus- 

 cations were not so bright, nor the transition 

 from one shape and colour to another, so 

 rapid as they sometimes are; otherwise, I 



