BLACK FORT--THE PACK-HORSE TRAIN SETS OUT--SANDY MCTAVISH'S SAGACITY--
THE NIGHT-WATCH--THE TWO REDSKIN HORSE-THIEVES--A SNOWSTORM--AN
UNCOMFORTABLE BED AND A TERRIBLE NIGHT--MY DELIGHT AT FINDING MY HORSE
ALIVE--WE OBTAIN SHELTER IN A WOOD--DESPERATE ENCOUNTER BETWEEN A LYNX
AND AN EAGLE FOR THE POSSESSION OF A HARE--THE HARE BECOMES MY PRIZE--
THE UNTIMELY APPEARANCE OF A WOLF.
The short summer of the North-West Territory of British America, the
region in which the events I am about to describe took place, was
rapidly drawing to a close.
I had been sent from Black Fort, of which my elder brother Alick had
charge, with Sandy McTavish, an old follower of our father's, and two
other men, to bring up ammunition and other stores as a winter supply
from Fort Ross, about 150 miles off--a distance, however, of which we
did not think much.
The stores ought to have been brought up the greater part of the way by
the Saskatchewan, but a canoe had been lost in ascending the rapids, and
no other was at that time to be procured to replace her. It became
necessary, therefore, at all costs to transport the required stores by
land. We had eight pack-horses, besides the four animals my companions
and I rode.
We were all well armed, for though the Crees and other Indian tribes in
the northern part of the territory were generally friendly, we might
possibly encounter a party of Blackfeet on the war-trail who, should
they find us unprepared, would to a certainty attack us, and endeavour
to steal our horses and goods. We were but few in number for such an
undertaking, but no more men could be spared. Sandy, however, was a
host in himself. He thoroughly knew all the Indian ways, and from his
long experience was well able to counteract them.
Many an evening, while seated at our camp-fire or at the stove in the
fort, during winter, has he beguiled the time with accounts of his
hairbreadth escapes and desperate encounters with the redskins. He had
no enmity towards them, notwithstanding the attempts they had made on
his life.
"They were but following the instincts of their savage natures," he used
to observe; "and they were not ower weel pleased with the white men for
hunting in the country which they call theirs, though it must be allowed
they dinna make gude use of it."
Sandy was as humane as he was brave, and I am very sure he never took
the life of an Indian if he could avoid doing so with due regard to his
own safety. He had come out from Scotland when a mere boy with our
father, who was at that time a clerk in the Hudson's Bay Company, but
who had ultimately risen to be a chief factor, and was the leader in
many of the adventurous expeditions which were made in those days. He
was noted for being a dead shot, and a first-rate hunter whether of
buffalo, elk, or grizzly bear. Sandy had followed him in all his
expeditions, and took the greatest delight in describing them to us.
Having remained at Fort Ross a couple of days, to rest our beasts and
prepare the packages for transport, we set out, Sandy and I leading, and
the two men, Pat Casey and Pierre Lacrosse, following in the rear with
the baggage animals.
We travelled at the rate of about twenty-five miles each day. That
distance being accomplished, we encamped at night under shelter of a
grove of poplars or willows, we being glad of the protection they
afforded; for although the weather was fine, the wind had begun to blow
somewhat cold.
Our beasts having been unloaded were hobbled near at hand, the goods
being piled up so as to form a breastwork in case of an attack. Fuel to
last the night had then to be collected, when the fire was lighted, and
the pot put on to boil.
Supper being ready, we sat round our fire to discuss it, with good
appetites. We then, after a chat for half an hour or so, drawing our
buffalo-robes over us, with our saddles for pillows, lay down to rest,
our feet turned towards the fire. One of us, however, always remained
on guard, to watch the horses, and to give warning should any Blackfeet
Indians or prowling wolves draw near our encampment.
We did not believe that we had much to fear from either one or the
other. The Blackfeet seldom ventured so far north into the territory of
their hereditary enemies the Crees; and should any wolves approach, the
horses would be sure to make their way up to the camp for protection.
The two hours watch which each of us took in turn made us sleep the
sounder for the remainder of the time. We were all too well inured to
the sort of life to think it any hardship. Just before dawn the last
man on watch roused up the rest of us. The ashes were raked together,
fresh sticks put on, the water boiled for the tea, and a breakfast of
slices of bacon or dried buffalo meat, with flour cakes, prepared us for
the toils of the day.
The country over which we travelled was seldom traversed by white men.
The grass-covered prairie extended often as far as the eye could reach,
here and there hills rising in the distance, or long lines of trees
marking the course of some stream falling into the main river.
We had to cross several of these streams, but at that time of the year
were able to ford them without difficulty, the drought of summer having
greatly diminished their depth.
Sandy and I were jogging along at the head of our party when, as we
reached the summit of a slight hill from which we could obtain an
extensive view over the surrounding country, he stopped and gazed, I
thought somewhat anxiously, around the horizon.
"We must push on faster than we have been going, if we are to reach
Black Fort before bad weather comes on," he observed.
"I see no change in the appearance of the sky," I answered. "There's
not a cloud in any direction, and the wind is as moderate as it was when
we started."
"The sky is blue and cloudless, I'll allow, but it's whiter away in the
nor'ard than I like to see it. There will be wind from that quarter
before long, and the wind won't come alone," said Sandy. "It may not
reach us to-morrow or the next day, and we may be safe within the fort
before it is down upon us."
Though I had a high opinion of Sandy's sagacity, I thought that in this
instance he might be mistaken. It was very important for us to reach
the fort before the snow should cover the ground to any depth. The
stores we were bringing were much required, and the heavily-laden
animals would have great difficulty in making their way through it. Of
course I agreed, as Sandy advised it, that we should push on that day as
long as the light would allow, and that we should make a forced march on
the following day, so that we might reach the fort on the next before
nightfall, which we calculated we should thus be able to do.
Waiting till the two men with the loaded beasts came up, we told them of
our intentions, and ordered them to push on as fast as they could. We
had not gone far, however, when Sandy's horse stumbled, a very unusual
thing for the animal to do. It continued to walk lame, evidently in
pain.
We dismounted and examined its feet, when we found that a sharp stone
had wounded its hoof. We extricated it with considerable difficulty,
and when we again moved on the animal walked with as much pain as
before. Nothing could make it move on. We were therefore compelled to
encamp at the first suitable spot we reached.
The weather remained fine, and we hoped in the morning that Sandy's
horse would have recovered, and that we should be able to make a long
day's journey. According to our intention, our camp was formed as usual
under shelter of a wood, but there was scarcely any good grass in the
immediate neighbourhood, and we were compelled to let the animals roam
much further than we liked in search of it.
We agreed that, in order to keep a proper lookout, two of us should
remain on the watch at a time, one in the camp, and the other in the
direction the animals had taken.
Sandy had Pierre for his mate; I, Pat. Sandy and Pierre took the first
watch. The latter went off with his rifle and a brace of pistols in his
belt, to walk backwards and forwards near where the horses were feeding.
Pat and I then lay down with our feet to the fire.
"We'll sleep as fast as we can, Mister David, to make up for the
shortness of time we've got to do it in," observed Pat, as he rolled
himself up in his buffalo-robe.
I endeavoured to follow his advice, but somehow or other the
presentiment that danger threatened us kept me awake longer than was
usual. It seemed that I had scarcely closed my eyes when Sandy aroused
me, and springing to my feet I examined the priming of my rifle and
pistols, and prepared to relieve Pierre, who was to wait near the horses
till I arrived. I had to walk nearly a quarter of a mile before I found
him in a grassy valley, between two slight hills running in the
direction of the river. Had there been any trees thereabouts it would
have been a better place than the one we had chosen for our encampment.
Pierre reported all right, and went back to camp.
By walking to the top of one of the hills I could get a view all round,
and watch the horses feeding below me. I counted them and found that
all were there, and then went down again to find some shelter from the
wind behind a small clump of low bushes. I could watch from this most
of the horses, but some of them would wander up the valley out of my
sight.
At last I saw by the movements of those near me that they were becoming
somewhat uneasy, and presently two which had got to a distance came up
as fast as their hobbles would allow them, the whole heading towards the
camp. I rushed forward to cut the hobbles as fast as I could get up to
the animals, when they all set off in the direction they had before been
going.
I had just set the last free when, looking up, I saw two dark figures
which I knew were those of Indians, who had been endeavouring to get up
to the horses before I could set them at liberty. The moment they found
that they were discovered they stopped short. I pointed my gun, they
hesitated, and then once more began to move towards me, their scalping
knives gleaming in the moonlight. Anxious not to shed blood, I again
shouted to them to stop; but perhaps seeing, by my voice and slight
figure, that I was but a youth, they fancied that they could intimidate
me, and uttering terrific shrieks they continued to approach. My life
depended, I knew, on the steadiness of my aim, and pulling the trigger I
sent a bullet into the body of one of the strangers. He staggered and
fell, when drawing a pistol I prepared to receive his companion, who,
however, stopped, and lifting the wounded man to his feet, the two made
off faster than I should have supposed possible.
I thought it prudent not to follow, as I felt sure that other Indians
were in the neighbourhood. The sound of my shot would have aroused my
friends, and from the appearance of the horses they would understand
what had happened.
As the Indians made off in one direction, I ran as fast as my legs could
carry me towards the camp. Before I reached it, I met Sandy and the
other men coming out to my assistance. They expressed their
satisfaction at finding me safe.
Pierre and Pat wanted to set off in pursuit of the enemy, but Sandy
would not allow them.
"Na! na! laddies; we'll gain nothing even if we were to shoot a score of
redskins. We shall want our ammunition to defend ourselves when we are
attacked. Let's count the horses, and see if all have come in," he
said.
On doing so, we discovered that one was missing. The animal had
evidently been carried off by some Blackfeet.
The loss was a serious one, as we should have either to add to the
weight of the loads of the others, or place the packages on one of the
saddle-horses, taking it by turns to walk.
One thing was certain, that even if not attacked, our journey, which we
were anxious to finish as soon as possible, would be prolonged.
As may be supposed, we got no more sleep that night. We had to hobble
the horses, and keep a bright lookout on every side, lest the
treacherous Indians might steal upon us and catch us unprepared. They
must have guessed from the number of horses that our party consisted of
several men, well armed, and from the experience they had had of my
rifle they knew that they could not come openly upon us without the
certainty of some of their number being laid low.
As the sky remained clear, and the moon was bright, we could see objects
at a considerable distance; our enemies could not therefore get near
without being discovered. Our chief fear was that they might, if they
were resolved on our destruction, make a wide circuit, and getting into
the wood attack us in the rear. To prevent the risk of this, Pierre
made his way among the trees and watched on that side; on hands and
knees he crept cautiously from place to place, as the panther does
watching for its prey. Wary as the Indians were, it was not likely that
they would surprise him. There is an excitement in an adventure of the
sort we were engaged in which affords actual pleasure, and for my part I
enjoyed it greatly, caring neither for being deprived of sleep, nor for
the danger to be apprehended.
We let our fire remain in, though we kept it low, with plenty of sticks
at hand which we could throw on and make it blaze up, should we find it
necessary. At last dawn appeared in the eastern sky, and we believed
that, as the Indians had not attacked us at night, they would not molest
us during our journey.
Having collected our horses and distributed the load of the animal which
had been stolen among them, after a hasty breakfast we set off. We were
much disappointed at finding that Sandy's animal was as lame as on the
previous day, and as it could not move out of a walk, he dismounted and
proceeded on foot. Our progress was therefore slower even than usual.
The country as we advanced became much rougher than that which we had
hitherto passed over. When the greater part of the day had been spent,
we reached the foot of an excessively steep hill, on the top of which
was a wide extending plain. We all here dismounted, and allowed our
horses to scramble on as best they could. To climb up with more ease I
disencumbered myself of my cloak, which together with my gun I fastened
on to one of the pack-horses. We had provided ourselves with thick
sticks, which helped us along.
Sandy's poor horse had great difficulty in making its way, and dropped
behind the rest. There was no fear of its straying; the animals being
accustomed to keep together, it was sure to follow.
"I wish that we had been able to make our way as fast as we had
intended," said Sandy. "We shall have more difficulties on this journey
than we looked for; however, there's no use sighing about what cannot be
helped. Just do you go on, David, to the top of the hill, and take a
look round to see if you can catch sight of any Indians. You are more
active than I am, and will be at the top before I can reach it; I'll
wait and bring up the rest of the horses. If the Indians were to come
upon us at this moment they might take us at a disadvantage."
From the way Sandy spoke I saw that he was not like himself. It struck
me that he was ill; or, had he expected that we should have been
attacked by the Indians during our ascent of the hill, he would have
made preparations beforehand. I, however, did not hesitate to do as he
wished, and springing forward soon climbed up among the rocks and shrubs
to the top. Before me, stretching to the westward, was a perfectly
level plain, on the edge of which I looked down on the other side over
the lower country, across which we had passed.
I could see our horses toiling upwards among the rocks and shrubs to the
top, followed by Sandy and the two other men, he having stopped to speak
to them. The sky overhead and on three sides was clear, but on looking
to the northward I observed a dense black mass which came sweeping along
at a tremendous rate towards me. Though the air had just before been
perfectly serene, on a sudden a keen cutting wind struck me with a force
which almost took me off my feet.
The next instant I was in the midst of a fearful snowstorm. The sun in
a moment became obscured, and the wind increasing rose to a perfect
hurricane. I could dimly discern two of the horses which just then had
reached the plateau. I ran towards one of them to secure it, hoping
that it was my own, but I found that it was one of the loaded animals,
and unfortunately not the one on which I had laid my coat and gun. In a
few seconds of time, so fearful had become the darkness that I could not
see three feet ahead of my nose. I shouted at the top of my voice to
the rest of the men who were, I knew, not far from me to mount their
horses and come on, allowing the others to shift for themselves.
We should all be frozen to death if we were to remain where we were.
Our only hope of safety was to reach a thick grove of trees at the
farther end, and I hoped that we might get to it before the snow became
too deep to allow the animals to move rapidly over the ground.
In vain I looked for my own horse. I could faintly hear Sandy and the
other men shouting in return to my cries, but whereabouts they were I
could not tell. I fully believed that they would all follow the course
I proposed, and as I could not discover my own animal I cut the tyings
and threw off the load from the pack-horse I had caught, then mounting
on the pack-saddle I rode off at full speed through the deep snow, in
the hope of reaching the wood.
So rapidly did the snow come down that in a few moments it was several
inches deep. Every instant it was increasing and rendering my progress
more difficult. I urged on the poor animal, which seemed to know its
danger and did its utmost, but thicker and thicker fell the snow, and in
a short time, night coming on, it became so dark that I was literally
unable to see my hand held close to my face; except judging by the wind,
I could not tell in what direction we were going. I could only hope
that the instinct of the animal might guide it towards the wood in which
shelter could be obtained.
As to seeking my companions, that was out of the question. I shouted to
them every now and then, but no voice answered my calls. I knew,
however, that they all, being well acquainted with the country, would
endeavour to reach the shelter for which I was aiming, and I hoped at
length to meet them there.
The cold was intense; even had I possessed my overcoat it would have
been bad enough to bear, but with only moderately thick clothing on, I
felt the wind pierce to my very bones. I rode on, however, as long as I
was able to sit my horse, but at length my limbs became so benumbed by
the cold that I could ride no further. The poor beast also was almost
exhausted with his exertions in plunging on through the deep snow.
Hoping to keep somewhat warm by walking I dismounted, and leading him by
the bridle tried to get along. At every step I made I sank halfway up
to my knees, and could scarcely lift my feet high enough to make another
step forward; still, it would be death to stay where I was. I went on,
hoping that I was approaching the wood. Now and then I stopped and
shouted; still there was no reply.
I became at length convinced that I must have either passed the wood or
been going in another direction. No sound reached my ears but that of
the thick-falling snow, which seemed to come down in a mass upon the
earth, so rapidly did it accumulate.
Sandy, I knew, would be very anxious about me, and would take every
means to discover where I had gone; but even in daylight he could not
have followed my track, as the snow must instantly have obliterated it.
I resolved as long as I had strength to push on, though I had missed the
wood for which I was aiming. I might, I hoped, in time reach another
which would afford me protection.
The storm instead of abating only seemed to increase in violence. As
the night wore on I found my poor horse advancing at a slower and slower
pace, showing how fatigued it had become, while I had scarcely strength
left to move forward; still I was afraid to halt. At last it stopped
altogether, and I myself felt utterly exhausted. Further it was
impossible to go, but how to endure the cold and keep the blood
circulating in my veins was the question. It seemed to me that I must
inevitably perish; still I resolved to make an effort to preserve my
life.
My horse was standing stock-still, with its back to the wind. I
bethought me that the only chance I had of retaining existence was to
dig a hole in the snow, in which I might crouch down, and wait till the
storm was over. I set desperately to work. While so employed, the
drift eddying around my head nearly suffocated me; still I persevered.
Having dug down to the ground, I took off the pack-saddle from the
horse's back, which I placed as a cushion below me, and then putting the
saddle-cloth over my shoulders I crouched down in the hole I had made,
which I could not help dreading was more likely to prove my grave than
to afford any efficient shelter.
I knew for certain that, should I fall asleep, death would ensue, and
that I must exert all my energies to keep awake. I had not been long
seated, doubled up in my burrow like a mummy, before I felt the cold
begin to steal over me. My feet were the first to suffer. I tried to
keep them warm by moving them about, but it was of no use.
At last I took off my frozen shoes, and tucked my feet under me on the
pack-saddle; then I rubbed them as hard as I could. I was tempted at
last to take the horsecloth off my shoulders, and to wrap my feet up in
it, but all was of no use. They appeared to me to be frozen, while my
whole body seemed changing into ice. At last I had scarcely strength to
move either my hands or feet. During this time the inclination to sleep
almost overcame me. I struggled against it with all the resolution I
possessed. I was perfectly well aware that, should I give way to it,
death would be the consequence.
I took every means I could think of to keep awake. I shouted; I even
sang, or rather I tried to sing; but the most melancholy strains were
the only results of my efforts, my voice sounding as hollow as that from
a skull--if voices ever do come out of skulls, on which subject I
venture to be sceptical.
I kept moving from side to side, and up and down, filled with the dread
that, should I stop, I should fall asleep. The snow all the time was
gathering round my head, forming an arch over me, and I had frequently
to make a hole in front, so as to obtain sufficient air for breathing.
How I lived through that dreadful night I cannot tell. Morning came at
last; the snow had ceased to fall as thickly as before, allowing the
light to penetrate through the veil drawn over the earth. Faint as was
the light, it gave me a glimpse of hope. I might still reach the wood,
and by obtaining a fire thaw my benumbed limbs. My first efforts were
directed towards breaking out of my icy prison; but the hole in front of
me was so small that it was not till I had made several attempts that I
could force my body through it.
I at length managed to get up on my feet, when I took a look round.
There stood my poor horse, where I had left it, rigid as a statue, and,
as I believed, frozen to death.
On every side I could see nothing but one vast expanse of snow. I could
not, however, remain where I was. Either on horseback or on foot I must
try to reach a place of shelter and to find my companions. I now
remembered that I had taken my shoes off. How to get them on again was
the difficulty, for when I felt them, I found that they were frozen as
hard as iron. I made several attempts to thrust in my feet, for I knew
that they would be dreadfully cut should I attempt to walk without
shoes. The exertion contributed somewhat, perhaps, to restore the
circulation in my veins, and at last, after many efforts, I got on my
shoes.
Having accomplished this I broke entirely out of my burrow, and
staggered towards my poor steed. To my great relief the animal moved
its head and looked at me, giving evidence that it was still alive. I
accordingly returned to the hole and dug out my saddle, when, after
great exertion, I managed to reach the horse and put it on. Then,
digging round the poor beast's front feet, and patting it on the neck, I
induced it to move forward a few paces.
It seemed surprising that, after the fearful night it had endured, it
should still be alive and could move its legs apparently without much
difficulty.
I now tried to mount, but could not bend my frozen limbs sufficiently to
get into the saddle. I therefore, taking the bridle in my hand, led
forward my horse, stumbling at every step. I hoped, however, that the
exercise would restore circulation, and that I should be able at last to
get on horseback.
I looked round, but could nowhere see the wood of which I was in search;
though the snow was not falling as thickly as it had done during the
night, the weather still looked very threatening. Dark masses of
snow-clouds obscured the sky like a canopy but a few feet, it seemed,
above my head.
The wind was still piercingly cold, and at any moment the snow might
again come down and overwhelm me. The rough training I had gone
through, however, had taught me never to despair, but to struggle on to
the last. I had no thoughts of doing otherwise, though every limb
ached, and I had scarcely strength to draw one leg after the other.
At last, finding that I could walk no longer, I made another effort to
mount, and succeeded, though not without great pain, in climbing into
the saddle; when I was there, however, my poor horse showed his utter
inability to carry me, and refused to lift a leg; indeed, his strength
was insufficient for the task. In vain I patted his neck and tried to
make him go forward. The only movement he made was to sink down on his
knees. To prevent him from falling altogether, when I might not have
been able to get him up again, I threw myself off his back.
At the same moment the storm burst forth with greater fury than before.
I began to believe that I should perish; but still I had some strength
left in me, and resolved to exert it to the utmost. As to facing the
storm, that was impossible, so all I could do was to turn my back to it
and move forward.
I might be going further and further from the wood, but I trusted that
Providence, which had hitherto preserved me, would direct my steps
towards some other shelter. Still I in vain looked out for any object
rising above the apparently interminable plain of snow. The
saddle-cloth drawn tightly over my shoulders somewhat protected my back,
but the wind whistled past my ears, which had now lost all sensation.
On and on I went, I knew not for how long. I could scarcely think,
indeed I could scarcely feel, except that I was suffering all over from
pain. The storm sent me along, in what direction I could not tell,
though I supposed that it was towards the south. The thick-falling snow
hid all objects, if any there were, from sight. My companions might be
in the neighbourhood, but I was not likely to see them, nor they me.
I tried occasionally to shout out, but I had not power to send my voice
to any distance. Still I went on, like a hawker crying his wares in a
town, but I had lost all hopes of hearing an answer to my calls. At
last so great became my exhaustion that I thought of killing my horse,
opening him, and getting into his body, fancying that I might thus save
my life. I drew my hunting-knife, and was about to plunge it into the
poor brute's chest, though even then I felt a great repugnance to kill
the faithful creature; when it occurred to me, should I get inside,
that, after the heat had left the body, it would freeze, and I might be
unable to extricate myself. I should thus be immured in a tomb of my
own making. The idea was too dreadful to contemplate for an instant.
I sheathed my knife, and again walked on. Shortly after this the storm
sensibly abated. The snow ceased, the wind fell; and as the atmosphere
became clear I found that I was on the edge of the plateau, and I saw
before me in the far distance a thick wood extending away to the south.
It bordered a stream flowing, I concluded, into the Saskatchewan. I
could find shelter within the wood should the storm again come on, and I
might be able to kill some creature or other to satisfy the cravings of
my appetite.
The hope that I might still preserve my life raised my spirits. My
horse, too, appeared to be somewhat recovered; so I again climbed up on
the saddle, and this time the animal consented to move forward, its
instinct telling it that food was to be found in the direction we were
going. Had I possessed my gun I should have been better satisfied, as I
could thus, without difficulty, be able to obtain provisions and defend
myself against any wild beasts or Indians I might encounter. My
impatience made me fancy that my horse was moving at a very slow pace.
He seemed to gather strength as he advanced, or rather his muscles
became more pliable, and he moved with less pain. I was still, I
calculated, at least two days' journey from the fort. It would be
impossible for either my steed or me to perform the distance in our
present condition.
About the animal I had no fear, as it would be able to pick up grass
from under the snow, even should that not disappear; but my chance of
obtaining food was far more problematical. At last the sun shone forth
and warmed my well-nigh frozen body. Its bright rays cheered my
spirits, and I could look more hopefully to the prospect of getting back
to the fort. I had not given up all expectation of falling in with some
of my companions. It occurred to me that they might at once have put
before the wind, as sailors say, and steered for the wood towards which
I was directing my course.
I looked out, almost expecting to see a wreath of white smoke curling up
from amidst the trees. No signs of human beings, however, could I
discover. As we advanced my horse increased its pace, and at last the
wood was reached, but on the weather side the snow was piled up more
thickly than even in the open ground. I had, therefore, to make a
circuit, till I could get to the lee side.
In course of time, however, I reached it, and found a deep bay or hollow
formed by the trees. Here the snow was comparatively shallow. As I
threw myself from my horse and took off the bridle, the sagacious animal
immediately began to grub away with its nose in the snow, and soon got
down to the green grass which grew there abundantly.
I was very sure that my steed would not stray away, so that there was no
necessity for hobbling it. Fastening the bridle over my shoulder, I
hurried into the wood to collect sticks to light a fire, at which I
might thaw my shoes and warm myself thoroughly. I was satisfied that,
in spite of the cold I had endured, I was nowhere severely frostbitten.
As I came along I had rubbed my ears with snow, which had restored
circulation. Even my feet and fingers, though bitterly cold, had
escaped.
Having collected a number of sticks, I scraped away the snow at a short
distance from the trees, and piled them up. I then felt in my pocket
for my flint and steel and tinder box. I at once found the latter, but
to my dismay I could not discover the flint and steel.
I remembered giving it, the last time we encamped, to Pat Casey, but I
could not recollect whether he had returned it. I was almost in
despair. I feared that, should I attempt to pass another night without
fire, I must perish, even were the cold less intense than it had been
previously.
Pat Casey was bound to give them back to me. He must have done so.
I remembered that I had pockets in my waistcoat. I unbuttoned my coat,
and there at the bottom in the left-hand pocket of my waistcoat I found
my flint and steel. They were of more value to me just then than a
purse of gold.
I quickly struck a light, and going down on my knees, by the aid of some
dried moss and leaves, and by dint of careful blowing, I soon had a fire
started, as we say in the Far West. Eagerly I bent over it. Its genial
warmth imparted new life to my chilled limbs and body. Then, sitting
down with my feet so close that I almost singed my stockings, I
gradually thawed my shoes. How comfortable they felt when I again put
them on!
I now began to feel the pangs of hunger, for I had taken nothing since
the previous morning. Food I must have at all costs. I even glanced at
my poor horse with wolfish eyes.
"I must eat it, if I can get nothing else," I said to myself; but then
again I thought, "By what means shall I reach the fort? I cannot trudge
on foot all the distance through the deep snow. I must let my horse
live. It would sorely grieve me to have to kill him."
Thoroughly warmed, I got up with the intention of pushing into the wood
and trying to knock over some bird or small beast. There were few young
birds at that season not well able to fly out of my way, and the animals
of the forest were likely to have been driven under shelter by the
snowstorm.
I still had the stick which had served me to mount the hill and make my
way over the snow. I had left my pistols in my holsters. I mention
this to account for my not now having them. My only weapons, therefore,
were my long hunting-knife and this stout stick.
I was, I knew, more likely to find some animals deep in the wood than on
the borders, as they would have gone there for shelter. As I went along
I anxiously examined every tree I passed in search of birds or the
traces of squirrels or any other of the smaller inhabitants of the
woods.
Now and then a squirrel would look out of its hole, and on seeing me
would be off to the tree-top. Birds were rare, and being perfectly
silent at this season, their notes did not betray their whereabouts.
The evening was drawing on. I considered whether I could manage to set
any traps. It would take time to construct them, and I was starving.
As I wandered along, I found myself again near the borders of the wood
with a thick bush near me. At that moment I caught sight of an animal
of nearly three feet in length, which I at once recognised as a
"peeshoo," as the French Canadians call it, though properly denominated
the Canadian lynx. Its fur was of a dark grey, freckled with black. It
had powerful limbs, and thick, heavily-made feet. It was still when I
first caught sight of it, but presently it commenced a succession of
bounds with its back slightly arched, all the feet coming to the ground
at the same moment.
Instead of moving forward in a direct line, I observed that it was
making a large circle, which it gradually decreased. I concealed myself
behind the bush, hoping that it would come near enough to give me a
chance of rushing out and striking it a blow on the back, when I could
at once have killed it. With intense interest, therefore, I watched its
proceedings. I now observed a small animal which I saw was a hare in
the centre of the circle it was forming. The little creature,
terror-stricken, seemed unable to run off, though, being a fleeter
animal than the lynx, it might easily have escaped.
The lynx approached nearer and nearer the hare, keeping one of its sharp
eyes fixed on it all the time, when, having got sufficiently near to
reach its prey, it made two bounds, and the hare the next moment was
dead.
I was on the point of rushing out to secure, as I hoped, both the lynx
and the hare, when I saw a dark shadow cast on the ground, and, looking
up, I caught sight of a golden eagle, which must have come from the
far-off Rocky Mountains, in the act of pouncing down on the lynx; the
latter, seeing its enemy, dropped the hare and prepared to defend itself
and prevent its prey being carried off. In spite of the large size of
the lynx, the eagle swooped downwards to the attack, striking with its
powerful beak the quick-sighted animal on the back, into which it fixed
its sharp talons.
The eagle had, however, not so firm a hold as to prevent the lynx from
freeing itself; then with its formidable claws it sprang at the bird,
tearing some of the feathers from its breast.
On this the eagle rose into the air, and circling several times round, a
short distance above the earth, prepared undauntedly again to descend
and renew the combat. The lynx, watching every movement, as it saw the
bird coming made a tremendous leap, trying to seize it by the neck; but
the eagle, striking its antagonist's body with its talons, threw it on
its back, and again attempted to plunge its beak into the throat of the
lynx.
So furiously did the two creatures struggle, and so thickly was the snow
sent flying round them, while the air was so filled with the eagle's
feathers, that I could scarcely distinguish what was taking place.
I should have rushed forward to destroy both the combatants, had I not
feared that seeing me coming the eagle might fly off, and the lynx
scamper away out of my reach, and I was too weak to follow it to any
distance. I therefore let the fight proceed, hoping that I might
benefit by the utter exhaustion of the two parties, as is often the case
when nations go to war, and a third interferes to reap an advantage from
the folly of the others. I had to restrain my impatience for some
minutes while the furious struggle continued.
The bird now made an attempt to rise, but it seemed to me that the lynx
held it fast. I could restrain myself no longer, and, grasping my
stick, I rushed forward. Both creatures saw me coming. The lynx got on
its feet, but before it could make a single bound a well-directed blow
on its back laid it dead on the snow. The eagle, to my surprise, did
not fly off, and I now saw that one of its wings was broken. It still
presented too formidable a front to be approached unless with due
caution, for its beak might inflict a serious wound.
Holding my stick ready, I swung it with all my force against its head,
and the bird rolled over stunned. As it might quickly come to, I
immediately drew my knife and severed the head from the body.
I was too hungry, however, to stop and examine either the eagle or the
lynx, except to ascertain that the latter was perfectly dead. A few
cuts of my knife soon settled that point, and then eagerly taking up the
hare, I hurried with it back to the fire. I did not stop to skin it
very artistically, but running a spit through the body, I at once placed
it to roast--camp fashion--on two forked sticks. I watched it eagerly
for a few minutes, when, unable longer to resist the cravings of hunger,
I cut off one of the legs, which I devoured nearly raw.
The keenness of my appetite being satisfied, I felt that I could wait
till the rest was more properly cooked. I now bethought me that it
would be wise, while the hare was roasting, to bring in the lynx, at all
events; for though not dainty food, I had seen Indians eat the flesh of
the animal, and it was very possible that wolves might be attracted to
the spot and deprive me of it.
I might have to wait a long time before my larder was supplied in so
curious a manner as it had been on this occasion. I therefore hastened
back to where I had left the lynx. As I got up to it, I saw in the
distance an animal which I felt nearly sure was a wolf. I must get back
to the fire with my game, or the wolf might deprive me of it.
Shouldering the lynx, the weight of which was as much as I could carry,
I struggled along with it towards my camp. Every moment I expected to
hear the wolf behind me, but as I at once struck into the wood I kept
out of the creature's sight. I was thankful when I saw the bright blaze
of my fire between the trunks of the trees. Hurrying forward, to my
infinite satisfaction I found the hare safe on the spit and almost done.
I threw down my burden close to the fire, having made up my mind to
fight for my prize should the wolf attempt to take it from me. I might
have to do battle also, I knew, not only for myself, but for my horse,
which, should the wolf discover, it would very probably attack.
The hare, which was now sufficiently cooked to be eaten, wonderfully
restored my strength and spirits. A portion remained for my breakfast
next morning, and I must then commence on the flesh of the lynx.
I had been so far preserved, and I was under no apprehension as to what
might happen. I reflected, however, that it would be necessary to
prepare some defence both for myself and my horse during the night
against the attack of wolves, and I considered how that might best be
done.
As I had still a few minutes of daylight, I employed them in cutting
some stout sticks, which I fixed in the snow at a short distance from
the fire; others I fastened with withes to the top as rafters, on which
I laid some branches, covering the whole with snow.
I also formed the walls of my hut with snow. There was fortunately a
moon in the sky, which enabled me to continue my labours long after
sunset.
Having completed my hut, I collected a further supply of sticks, and
made up my fire to last, as I hoped, for two or three hours. I then
went out, intending to bring my horse close to the hut. I found him
still at his supper, and he seemed very unwilling to leave the spot
where he had cleared away the snow. On my speaking to him, with a
little coaxing he, however, followed me, and I led him to the side of
the hut, where I secured him to a stake which I managed to drive into
the ground, for though covered with snow, it was soft below it.
I then cleared away the snow sufficiently to enable him to get at the
grass. This seemed to content him, and I hoped that he would remain
quiet and get rested for the journey which I expected to commence the
next morning. On examining my pile of sticks, I thought it would be
prudent to get a further supply, so that I might keep the fire blazing
till daylight, and be able to cook some of the lynx for breakfast, as
also a sufficient quantity to take with me.
For this object I was going along the edge of the wood, when suddenly a
large animal rushed out from a thick copse a short distance before me,
planting itself in a threatening attitude as if determined to dispute my
progress. It was scarcely twenty feet off, and I knew that in a moment
its fangs might be fixed in my throat.
My situation appeared desperate, for I felt sure that should I show the
least symptom of fear the creature would attack me. I prayed for the
courage and firmness I so much needed. Should I retreat, the monster
would to a certainty follow. Holding the bundle of sticks I had already
collected in front of me as a shield, I flourished my stick, shouting as
loud as my weak voice would permit.
The wolf appeared somewhat startled and retreated a few steps, still
keeping its piercing eyes fixed firmly on me. The creature's retreat,
though it was but for a short distance, encouraged me. I advanced. On
seeing this it set up a most fearful howl, which I concluded it did for
the purpose of collecting some of its fellows to assist it in its
meditated attack on me.
I redoubled my cries, shouting out, "Sandy! Pat! Pierre! Come along!"
with the idea that the wolf would suppose I had companions at hand, who
would come at my call. As I advanced it kept retreating, but still
continued its appalling howls.
It occurred to me that it was the wolf I had before seen, and that it
must have its lair in the neighbourhood. This was not a pleasant
thought, but still I hoped that if I could frighten it off I should not
be further molested.
The wolf continued howling and I shouting for nearly a quarter of an
hour. At length finding that no other wolves came to join it, and that
I was determined not to flinch, it turned round, and in a few seconds
was lost to view in the surrounding gloom.
I learnt an important lesson from the adventure. It showed me that by
an exhibition of courage and determination even enemies of far superior
force may be deterred from making an attack, and be put ignominiously to
flight. Having satisfied myself that the wolf had really gone off, I
returned to my hut, looking back, however, every instant to ascertain
whether or not it was following me. I found my horse still cropping the
grass. He welcomed me with a neigh as I approached, to show his
gratitude. It was a sign also that he was regaining his strength.
I felt very thankful that I had not killed him, as I had contemplated
doing.
Having deposited my bundle of wood on the pile previously formed, I
crept into my hut. I then placed some sticks across the entrance as a
protection against any sudden attack, and lay down on the pack-saddle,
covering my feet with the horse-rug. Though the cold was sufficiently
severe under other circumstances to have kept me awake, before many
minutes were over I was fast asleep.