difficult to follow it on account of the deep snow. Many of
the animals, too, at this season become torpid, and are of course hidden
in caves and hollow trees, and even in the snow itself, where no one can
find them. Notwithstanding all this, our voyageurs knew that it would
be the best place for them to make their winter camp. They saw that to
complete their journey during that season would be impossible. Even had
it been a month earlier it would have been a difficult undertaking. In
a few days winter would be upon them. They would have to stop
somewhere. There was no place where they could so safely stay as by the
lake. One thing they would have there, which might not be found so
plenty elsewhere, that was wood for their fire; and this was an
inducement to remain by the lake. Having made up their minds,
therefore, to encamp on some part of it, they looked from day to day for
a place that would be most suitable, still continuing their journey
towards its western end. As yet no place appeared to their liking, and
as the lake near its western point trends away towards the south, Norman
proposed that they should follow the shore no longer, but strike across
to a promontory on the northern shore of the lake, known as "Slave
Point." This promontory is of the limestone formation, and as Norman
had heard, is well wooded, and stocked with game. Even buffaloes are
found there. It is, in fact, the farthest point to the north-east that
these animals range, and this presents us with a curious fact. It is
the farthest point that the limestone deposit extends in that direction.
Beyond that, to the east and north, lie the primitive rocks of the
Barren Grounds, into which the buffaloes never stray. Thus we observe
the connexion that exists between the _fauna_ of a country and its
geological character.

Of course they all agreed to Norman's proposal. The canoe was,
therefore, headed for the open waters; and, after a hard day's
paddling--for there was a head-wind--the voyageurs landed upon a small
wooded island, about halfway over the lake, where they encamped for the
night, intending next day to cross the remaining part.

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

FISHING UNDER THE ICE.

On awaking next morning, to their great surprise, they saw that the
_lake was frozen over_! They had almost anticipated as much, for the
night was one of the coldest they had yet experienced--so cold that one
and all of them had slept but badly.