fire, and then arranged our dwelling for the
night. It consisted simply of branches stuck in the ground, and
extending about six feet from the trunk of the tree. We closed the
entrance, so that no wolves or bears could pay us a visit without some
warning; and kept our spears by our sides, to poke at their noses should
they make their appearance.

The night passed quietly away, and the next morning at daylight, having
caught our horses, we swam them across the stream. The sun soon dried
our clothes, and as we had no fear of starving for that day, we rode
merrily onward.

Next day we were as successful in fishing at a stream we reached a short
time before sundown; but we were not so prudent, for after each of us
had caught a couple of fish we continued our sport, when Mike's hook was
carried off. He looked as if he was going to burst into tears, while he
surveyed the end of his line with an utterly comical expression of
countenance.

"No, bedad! it's not there," he exclaimed; "the baste of a fish has got
it--ill luck to him! But we shall have the consolation of ateing his
brothers; and maybe some day we will come back and hook him."

We had now but one hook left, and this it was necessary to secure with
the greatest care. What a value we set upon that little crooked bit of
steel! Our lives might depend on it, for though Mike had set several
traps of various descriptions, no animals would consent to be caught by
them.

Two days more we travelled on, catching sight of what we believed to be
Indian encampments in the distance, but, according to our resolution,
carefully avoiding them. Our fish had come to an end, our last handful
of pemmican was exhausted, and for a whole day we had no food except a
few berries. Towards evening we reached a wood. As there was a stream
not far from it, while Mike was engaged in forming our camp I
endeavoured to hook a fish.

My efforts were vain; for some time none would bite. At last I felt a
tug, and I was sure that I had hooked a fish. Eagerly I drew it towards
the bank. It seemed to come willingly enough at first, but there was
another tug, and my line almost flew out of the water. I cast a blank
look at the end. The hook was gone!

Feeling very disconsolate, I returned to the camp. Mike endeavoured to
comfort me for our loss, but he could not supply us with food. We
therefore lay down to rest, keeping our spears as usual by our sides,
and Mike offering to watch