earned ran down into a larger river, and I was told that that river
flowed on for hundreds of miles towards the ocean.

"On hearing this, the thought seized me that I might possibly by its
means make my escape. We had several times been encamped in the
neighbourhood of rivers and lakes, on which I had learned how to manage
a canoe.

"A long time elapsed, however, before I could carry my plan into
execution. Though I several times visited the river on my hunting
excursions, I could not find a canoe; though I might have built one, I
should to a certainty have been overtaken before I could finish it. I
cannot describe all the events which occurred in the meantime. I was
often ill-treated, both by Peshauba and other members of the tribe, and
often, when game was scarce, almost starved.

"At last I managed to get away from the camp with a small supply of meat
which I had secreted, and making a wide circuit, proceeded towards the
river. I hoped that I was not pursued, and that it would be supposed I
had only gone out with the intention of hunting. Reaching the stream, I
continued down it, examining both banks in the hopes of finding a canoe
of some description.

"I cannot express the delight I felt when I discovered a small one
hauled up on the shore. It belonged, I concluded, to some Crees we had
met with. As I could find no traces of the owners, I at once launched
it, and seizing the paddle, shoved off from the bank. The current
carried me swiftly along. I had got to some distance when I heard a
voice calling to me; but I could not have returned against the current,
even had I wished it. I continued my course, therefore, till darkness
came on, when I landed, and, hauling up my canoe, slipped under it.

"The next morning, as soon as there was a gleam of light, I started off
again, stopping only to eat some of the small supply of food I had
brought with me. I had my bow and arrows, and I hoped to replenish the
stock on my way.

"Not wishing to exhaust all the food I possessed before I had obtained
some to supply its place, I one day landed, with the intention of trying
to shoot some birds or animals. Seeing no signs of any one having
visited the spot, I hauled up the canoe on the bank, and went off into
the wood.

"What was my dismay, on returning, to find my canoe gone! I saw tracks
on the ground which puzzled me exceedingly, as I was nearly certain that
they were not those of an Indian, though I could