also how cunningly the
little ones acted when suddenly disturbed. They would apparently make
themselves invisible. Some would quickly disappear in little openings
or under leaves, others would cleverly catch up old brown leaves in
their mouths and suddenly turn over on their backs, and then lie still
and quiet thus hidden under the leaves. Mr Ross said he had seen them
do this so quickly that he could hardly believe his eyes until he went
and picked up the brown leaf and the little partridge that had so
cleverly hid itself out of sight, and not until the little bird was in
his hands did it show any sign of life. Then, indeed, it was wild
enough.

During the afternoon the sky became hazy and slightly overcast. The
boys were treated to one of the peculiar phenomena not unfrequently seen
in those high latitudes. First, a great circle surrounded the sun, and
at the east, west, and top and bottom in it were seen very vivid mock
suns. Shortly after another ring appeared inside this first one, and
then another one on the outside of all, and in each circle there
appeared four mock suns, clear, distinct, and startling. In all there
was the sun himself, in a beautiful halo in the centre, and around him
were visible no less than twelve mock suns.

While this sight very much interested the boys, the older Indians were
somewhat troubled, and at once proposed to Mr Ross the removal of their
camp to a sheltered spot where some dense forests of balsam and spruce
would be a barrier against the coming storm, which they said was not
more than an hour off. Marvellously clever are these Indians in reading
these signs in the heavens, and very rarely do they make mistakes.

To the boys there was not in these beautiful visions in the heavens
anything that portended a storm, and they were somewhat disappointed
when told that in all probability there would be but little hunting for
perhaps some days. While this was not pleasant news, they willingly
fell to work and did their share in removing to the place appointed.
They were very much interested to see how skillfully the Indians cut
poles, and, taking the oilcloths from the canoes, improvised a
watertight roof over a "lean-to," as they called it, against the storm
that they said would soon be on them from a certain point indicated.
Large dry logs were cut and rolled into position to make a fire in the
front of this improvised tent, under which they would have to find
shelter. Ket