haps that of his friend. Arrived at
the Little Mountain, Louis lost no time in obtaining a canoe, also an
Indian to take the bow paddle.

The mountain, which was a mere undulation of the prairie, presented a
strange scene at that time. Many settlers--half-breeds, Canadians, and
Indians--were encamped there; some under tents of various sizes, others
under upturned boats and canoes; not a few under the wider canopy of the
heavens. Intermingled with the men, women, and children, were horses,
cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, dogs, cats, and pets of the feathered
tribe, besides goods, household furniture, carts, etcetera, so that no
words can adequately describe the scene. It was confusion worse
confounded!

Many were the hospitable proposals made here to Louis Lambert that he
should remain all night, for he was a general favourite, but to all
these he turned a deaf ear, and set out on a searching expedition, in
the canoe, just after the sun had gone down.

At first he made as straight as he could for the place where Mr
Ravenshaw had fancied he heard the cry, but on consideration came to the
conclusion that, as the current must have carried all floating objects
considerably farther down the settlement by that time, he ought to
change his course. Soon it grew too dark to see objects distinctly, but
an occasional gleam of moonshine came to his aid. He passed several
floating barns and cow-houses, but found them empty. He also nearly ran
against several dead animals, but the silent Indian in the bow was wary
and vigilant. Hope was at last beginning to die within Louis's breast,
when he observed a raven circling round some floating object.

"Ho! there's something yonder. Strike out, old copper-nose," he
exclaimed, as he directed the canoe towards it.

The light craft cut the water like a knife, and was quickly alongside.

"Why, it _is_ a canoe, bottom up. Have a care. Ha! hold on!"

Lambert nearly overturned his own canoe as he made a sudden grasp at
something, and caught a man by the hair.

"Hallo! I say, let go your canoe and hold on to _me_," cried Lambert,
in excitement, but the man spoken to made no reply, and would not let go
the wrecked canoe.

Lambert therefore hauled him powerfully and slowly alongside until his
visage was level with the gunwale. Just then a gleam of moonlight broke
forth and revealed the face of Herr Winklemann! The difficulties that
now beset the rescuers were great, for the poor