the tree, and
once more sought the shelter from which he had driven me. The
interruption to the night's repose had been somewhat unpleasant, but
that did not prevent me sleeping on until daylight; after which I
proceeded in the direction where I expected to find the lakelet into
which my rifle and knapsack had dropped.

I was considering what I should do for food, when I observed a green
plant of a bright hue, with a small head, which I recognized as a
thistle, the roots of which I had seen the Indians use for food. Pulling
it up, I found it not unlike a radish in taste and consistency.
Searching about, I soon found several more: and although not likely to
be very nutritious, the roots served to stop the gnawings of hunger, and
enabled me to make my way with a more elastic step.

My thoughts were occupied as to the probability of finding Manley and
the sergeant. I hoped that, once clear of the forest, they might encamp
and make a large fire, the smoke of which would serve to guide me to
them. Should they, on the contrary, continue searching about, we might
miss each other.

The shore of the lakelet was at last reached, but my first glance at it
convinced me that there was every probability of its being of great
depth. The cliffs over which my rifle and knapsack had fallen went sheer
down into it; while farther on the torrent brought a large supply of
water, which found an exit on the opposite side. The water was clear as
crystal, and from the shore upon which I stood I could see the bottom.
When I put in my stick, however, I could not fathom it--and this at the
shallowest part. Still, my existence might depend upon recovering my
rifle, so, throwing off my clothes, I plunged in and swam to the foot of
the cliff. I felt sure that I was under the very spot from whence the
things had fallen, but when I looked down, notwithstanding the clearness
of the water, I could not see them, nor the bottom, and this at once
convinced me of the immense depth. I had therefore to abandon all hope
of recovering my rifle and knapsack, and swim back, not altogether
without some fear of being seized with cramp from the coldness of the
water.

Quickly dressing, I ran on to warm myself, keeping as before to the
west, as I felt sure that Manley and the sergeant would proceed in the
same direction. Coming to a high mound or hill, I climbed to the top,
whence I could obtain a pretty extensive view; but nowhere could I see
any objects moving