the sky was overcast, as on the previous evening; and I feared that
I might still find it a very difficult matter to make my way, even
should the wolves go off and allow me to descend the tree.

I was getting very hungry, and, as I had left my pack at the camp, I had
only the raw venison to eat. As the light increased, I broke off some
rotten branches, with which I pelted the wolves, uttering at the same
time loud cries; but they only snapped at the pieces of wood, proving
how they would have treated me had I fallen among them. I was greatly
tempted to kill some more of them, but, remembering how they had
devoured the one I had before shot, I refrained. Though almost
overpowered with the desire to sleep, the dread of falling into their
midst kept me awake.

Hour after hour passed by. In vain I looked out for my companions; no
signs of them could I discover, though I climbed to the highest part of
the tree, nor could I anywhere see the smoke of their fire. It was
already past noon, when I caught sight of a solitary deer making its way
across the open pine-barren. One of the wolves must have seen it too,
for the brute, giving a peculiar cry, set off, followed by the whole
pack. The deer saw them coming, and endeavoured to increase its speed;
but it was, I suspect, wounded, perhaps by one of my friends, thus
giving me hopes that I might before long fall in with them.

As soon as the wolves disappeared I descended the tree; and feeling
desperately hungry, I lost no time in collecting sticks, which I could
now easily do, and lighting a fire, aided by some rotten wood which I
found in a hollow trunk near at hand. My venison was but very partially
cooked when, unable to restrain my appetite, I began to eat it. After a
few mouthfuls, however, the thirst which came on made me look about in
search of water; but I could find none near at hand. The meat was in
the meantime cooking. I ate enough to satisfy my hunger, and would have
given much for a drop of pure water. Without it, I felt that I should
not have strength sufficient to resume the search for my companions. I
should have left the greater part of the venison behind me, as I knew
that it would not keep long, but that I hoped to fall in with them
before long, and guessed, in case Lejoillie and Carlos had failed to
kill a deer, they would be very glad of it.

My difficulty was now how to direct my course. I looked round in every
direction. The country wore s