WOOD-PIGEONS AND SQUIRREL FOR SUPPER--BEAR'S MEAT--CANOE-BUILDING--
GRASSHOPPERS--SHE FLOATS EVEN--ROW, BROTHERS, ROW!--THE THUNDERSTORM--
OUR NARROW ESCAPE--OUR HUT--DEER--THE BUCK IS DEAD--VENISON IN PLENTY--
IMPROVIDENCE OF THE INDIANS--BREAKERS AHEAD.
I cannot describe our adventures from day to day as I have been lately
doing.
While eating our somewhat unsavoury swan, we discussed how we should
next proceed. We knew but little of the bank of the river on which we
found ourselves, but at all events we should have a long journey on foot
before us, and we did not fancy the tramp through the woods.
"But if we do not go on foot how are we ever to get to Fort Ross?"
exclaimed Robin. "We can scarcely expect to find another canoe."
"Why, of course we must build one," said Martin. "I have never made one
entirely myself, but I have seen them built frequently, and have helped
sometimes, and I am very sure that we all together could manage to
construct one which will carry us safely down the river."
There were no dissentient voices. Martin warned us that it would take
some time. We should have to shape out all the ribs, and search for
birch trees of sufficient girth to afford large sheets of bark. The
chief object for consideration was, that it would take us almost as long
to build a canoe as to travel to Fort Ross, but then we should be saved
the fatigue and dangers of the journey, and we should be more likely to
fall in with any of the people whom our friends at the fort might have
dispatched to look for us, in the hopes that we had escaped from the
massacre at Fort Black. Another great reason for proceeding by water
was the state of our shoes: getting so often wet and dry they had become
completely rotten. Alick's were falling off his feet; mine were in a
very little better condition; Martin had thrown his away as useless, and
Robin had done the same, but as he had so long gone without shoes, his
feet were hardened, and he cared very little about the matter.
While the weather was warm it was not of much consequence, but we might
expect frost soon to set in, and unless we could manufacture some
moccasins we should suffer greatly. If we could kill a deer we might
supply ourselves, but hitherto we had seen none along the banks of the
river; still we hoped to fall in with some, as both skins and meat would
be very acceptable.
"Then I consider that the best thing we can do is to camp in an eligible
spot, and commence building a canoe without delay," said Alick.
We all agreed with him.
"I have no doubt about being able to do it," said Martin; "but we must
fix on some place where the white birch trees are abundant, that we may
have a good selection of bark. Much depends on its perfect condition,
and many of the trees we have passed are of insufficient size or have
holes in the bark, which would render them useless for our purpose."
We trudged on therefore, eagerly looking out for a spot which would
answer all our requirements. Before long we found one with some cedar
trees in the neighbourhood, and some young spruce firs not far off. On
a hillside a little way from the river grew a number of pines; the pitch
which exuded from them we wanted for covering the seams. The wood of
the cedar was required for forming the frame of the canoe, while the
slender and flexible roots of the young spruce trees would afford us
what is called "wattap"--threads for sewing the bark on to the gunwale
and securing it to the ribs.
"As we shall be some days building our canoe, we may as well put up a
hut and make ourselves comfortable in the meantime," observed Martin.
"It won't take long to do that, and should a storm come on we should
require shelter."
"We shall want something of still more consequence," observed Alick.
"We have no food, and you fellows will soon be crying out for it. While
Martin and David get the camp ready, light a fire, cut some poles for a
wigwam, and collect some rough sheets of bark to cover it with, Robin
and I will go in search of game. We shall find something or other
before dark, if we keep our eyes open and our wits awake, and I shall
not feel inclined to return without food, so take care to have a good
fire burning to roast it by."
"But I say, don't go off with the axe," exclaimed Martin, as Alick was
walking away with it stuck in his belt. "We cannot cut down the poles
without it, or strip off the bark from the trees."
Alick handed the axe to Martin, who, giving a flourish with it,
observed, "We shall have work enough for this fellow to do, but I must
take care to keep its edge sharp."
Alick and Robin set off with their guns, while Martin and I commenced
the work we had undertaken. We at first collected sticks and had a fire
blazing in an open spot from which we had cleared off all the grass for
fear of its igniting the surrounding herbage and producing a
conflagration--no unusual occurrence in the woods. The feeling of
hunger made us very active, for we hoped that Alick and Robin would soon
return with some game. As they did not appear, we cut down a number of
poles and fixed them up on a spot a little distance from the river,
towards which the ground gradually sloped down. Having secured all
together at the top, the framework of our hut was complete.
We had then to obtain some slabs of birch-bark. Several lay on the
ground stripped off by the wind. Many of these we found lying at the
foot of the trees, and though unfitted for building a canoe, they were
very well suited for our present purpose. We worked so diligently that
we completely covered our wigwam. We now began to look out anxiously
for the return of our companions, our hunger reminding us that it was
high time for them to be back. While we were working we had not thought
so much about it. I had thrown myself down on the grass, having
finished my labours.
"Come!" said Martin, who was always very active; "if game is not brought
to us, I vote we go in search of it," and seizing his gun he made his
way amid the trees.
I followed him. Presently I heard him fire, and directly afterwards I
caught sight of a squirrel on a high branch. Taking good aim, I brought
it down, and was soon joined by Martin, who had shot a couple of
wood-pigeons. We hurried back to the camp, stripped the birds of their
feathers, skinned the squirrel, and soon had them roasting before the
fire.
"Our friends will be well pleased not to have to wait for their supper,"
said Martin, as he quickly turned round the wood-pigeons on the spit.
They were soon cooked, and unable to resist the gnawings of hunger we
divided one of them and ate it up. We then attacked the squirrel, but
restraining our appetites, reserved half for Alick and Robin, for we
thought it possible that they might after all return without any game.
Having satisfied our hunger, we thought more seriously about them. What
could have happened to delay them?
At last I began to fear that some accident must have befallen them. It
was getting dusk. Should darkness overtake them, they would be unable
to find their way through the woods. We piled up more wood on the fire,
and went some way from it in the direction we expected they would come,
shouting loudly at the top of our voices to attract their attention.
"I cannot fancy that they have lost themselves," observed Martin.
"Robin, with his Indian training, would find his way anywhere; and Alick
is not likely to have gone wrong, especially with the river to guide
him."
Still I grew more and more anxious, and pictured to myself all sorts of
accidents.
"We should never think of the worst till it happens," observed Martin.
"They were probably tempted to go farther than they intended. Perhaps
we shall see them come back loaded with venison or a few dozen wild
ducks, which will supply our larder for many days to come. Hark! I
think I hear a shout. Now!" and we again shouted out. A reply
immediately came through the trees.
"That's Alick's voice, and I heard Robin's shriller treble," said
Martin. "They will be here anon, and will be highly delighted to sit
down and munch the remainder of the squirrel and the wood-pigeon."
We hurried forward to meet our friends, as far as the light of the fire
would enable us to see our way, and presently they both appeared,
carrying huge masses of something on their backs.
"We have got food enough to last us till we reach Fort Ross," exclaimed
Alick, as he limped along, and I observed that he had lost both his
shoes. "It might have cost us dear, though. Robin was nearly getting
an ugly grip. See! we have killed a bear, and brought as much of the
meat as we could carry, and a part of the skin to form moccasins till we
can kill some deer, which will afford us more comfortable covering for
our feet."
We relieved them of their loads, and were soon seated round the fire,
Bouncer lying down complacently watching us, while they discussed the
provisions we had cooked; he, having devoured as much of the bear as he
could manage, was independent of other food. Alick then told us that
they had come suddenly on Bruin, who was on the point of seizing Robin
when he had shot at it, but had missed; the bear, instead of pursuing
them, frightened by the report of the gun, had taken to flight, when
they followed and finally killed it. In their chase, while passing over
a piece of boggy ground, he had lost his shoes. The chase and the
return to camp had occupied a considerable amount of time.
"All's well that ends well," exclaimed Martin, "and now I propose that
we smoke some of the bear's flesh."
To this we all agreed, and thus employed ourselves till we turned in at
night.
"Up, up," cried Martin the next morning at daybreak. "We must turn to
without loss of time, and begin building our canoe. We must first cut
out the ribs, which will be the longest part of the operation, and those
who like can accompany me to the cedar wood."
We all did so; and Martin, selecting some young trees, cut them down;
then, with his axe, he chopped them into lengths. This done, we all
worked away with our knives to form them into thin strips. The wood is
remarkably tough, hard, and white, and can be bent into any form. We
were employed all day in this work, and it was not till the next that we
had a sufficient quantity of strips to commence forming the frame.
To form the gunwale we had to fasten a number together. The gunwale was
kept apart by slender bars of the same wood, while the ribs were bent
into the required shape, which they easily retained. There was no keel,
and the bottom was nearly flat. The third bar was broader than the
rest, and in it we cut a hole for stepping the mast, though unless with
a very light and perfectly favourable wind we should be unable to carry
sail.
It took us several days to put the framework together. We had now to
cut the bark from the white birch trees. To do this we formed two
circles round a tree, about five or six feet apart, and then cut a
perpendicular notch down from one to the other; next, putting pieces of
wood under the bark at the notches, we without difficulty pulled it off.
Martin having before taken his measurements, the bark exactly fitted the
centre part of the canoe, being also very nearly of the required shape.
We now sewed it on with the wattap. This was a long operation, as every
hole had to be carefully bored. Another piece of somewhat less width
formed the bows, easily conforming itself to the required shape. A
single thickness of bark formed the sides, but at the bottom we placed
some long strips to serve as bottom-boards, which rested on the ribs.
The bark had to be sewn on also to all the ribs, though this did not
require the same number of stitches as used at the gunwale. We all
worked away at it till some progress had been made, when Robin took
charge of the gum-pot, he having previously concocted a quantity of
pitch from the pine trees. This had to be thickened by boiling, and the
joinings were luted with it, thus rendering the canoe perfectly
water-tight.
The seats were formed by suspending strips of bark with cords from the
gunwales in such a manner that they did not press against the sides of
the canoe. Our canoe was only about twelve feet long, but was
sufficiently large to carry us four. I have seen such canoes
thirty-five feet in length, and six feet in width at the widest part,
tapering gradually towards the bow and stern, which are brought to a
wedge-like point, and turned over from the extremities towards the
centre so as to resemble, in some degree, the head of a violin.
These large canoes are calculated to carry sixty packages of skins
weighing ninety pounds each, and provisions amounting to one thousand
pounds' weight. They are paddled by eight men, each of whom has a bag
weighing forty pounds.
Every canoe also carries a quantity of bark, wattap, gum, and pine for
heating the gum, an axe, and some small articles necessary for repairing
her. The weight altogether is probably not under four tons. The eight
men can paddle her across a lake, in calm weather, at the rate of about
four miles an hour; and four can carry her across portages. Altogether,
for making voyages in this region, no vessel has been constructed in any
way to equal the birch-bark canoe, such as I have described. Ours was
very different, being much smaller; and the work, though pretty strong,
was not as neat as that performed by Indians.
Robin, who was fond of quizzing--a trick he had learned from the
redskins--declared that she would prove lopsided, at which Martin, her
architect, was very indignant.
"She'll swim as straight and steady as a duck," he answered.
"We shall see," cried Robin; "the proof of the pudding will be in the
eating. However, if she does float a little crooked she'll manage to
get to the end of her voyage somehow or other, and we can lay her up at
Fort Ross as a specimen of our ingenuity."
While building our canoe, one or two of us were compelled to go out in
search of game, as it was necessary to dry the bear's flesh as provision
for our voyage, and we preferred fresh meat. We generally returned with
two or three wood-pigeons or other birds.
Just before the completion of the canoe, I accompanied Alick on an
excursion which we intended should be longer than usual. We found the
forest extending not more than a mile from the bank of the river, after
which the country was open, with grassy land and hollows which had once
been the beds of ponds. Here the grass grew especially long.
We had not long started when I observed that the horizon wore an
unearthly ashen hue, and it struck me at once that we were about to have
a storm. Presently it seemed as if the whole air was filled with light
silvery clouds, and what looked at first like flakes of snow falling,
which we saw as they approached nearer to be numberless large insects
with wings. They were, indeed, grasshoppers, as they are called in the
North-West Territory, though they are really locusts. The number in the
air in a short time became so great that at intervals they perceptibly
lessened the light of the sun. I had seen them before in much smaller
quantities; and I at once knew what they were. That I might watch them
more conveniently, I threw myself on my back. When looking upwards, as
near to the sun as the light would permit, I saw the sky continually
change colour from blue to silvery white, ashy grey, and lead colour--
according to the density of the masses of insects. Opposite to the sun,
the prevailing hue was a silvery white, perceptibly flashing.
On one occasion the whole heavens towards the south-east and west
appeared to irradiate a soft grey-tinted light with a quivering motion.
As the day was calm, the hum produced by the vibration of so many
millions of wings was quite indescribable, and was more like what people
call a ringing in one's ears than any other sound that I can think of.
Strange as it may seem, there was something peculiarly awe-producing to
the mind as we watched these countless creatures, as it reminded us of
those scourges sent by God on the land of Egypt as a punishment to its
inhabitants.
At first they took short flights, but as the day increased cloud after
cloud rose from the prairie, and pursued their way in the direction of
the wind. As the day advanced, they settled round us in countless
multitudes, clinging to the leaves of shrubs and grass to rest after
their long flight. The whole district where they had settled wore a
curious appearance, for they had cut the grass uniformly to one inch
from the ground.
The surface was covered with their small round grey exuvia. Had they
passed over any cultivated ground, as they do occasionally, the entire
crops of the farms would have been destroyed. They leave nothing green
behind them, and devour even such things as woollen garments, skins, and
leather, with the most astonishing rapidity. Though they fly very high
in the air when they are making their journeys, they pitch usually on
the ground, not touching the forests, or one could easily conceive that
they would in the course of a year or two strip the trees of their
leaves, and leave them with a thoroughly wintry aspect.
As, owing to the grasshoppers, we did not expect to obtain any game in
the open country, we returned to the wood, and were fortunate in killing
a number of wood-pigeons.
On our arrival at the camp, Martin and Robin shouted out to us that the
canoe was finished, and only required to have the seams gummed. This
task was soon accomplished; and as we were in a hurry to try the canoe,
Alick and I, lifting her up with the greatest ease, carried her down to
the bank. Without hesitation we stepped in and placed her on the water,
when she floated with perfect evenness.
"Hurrah!" exclaimed Martin, who stood on the bank, throwing up his cap
in his delight at the triumphant success of his undertaking; "I knew
she'd do! I knew she'd do!"
Bouncer, who had followed us down, apparently as much interested as any
one, leaped up on his hind legs, barking loudly; while Robin, who had
remained at the fire attending to the gum-pot, that we might stop any
leaks which were discovered, echoed our shouts. We had indeed reason to
congratulate ourselves, for though the canoe was not equal to the one we
had lost, yet it would answer our purpose, and convey us safely, we
hoped, to our destination. As it was too late to start that day, we
lifted her up again, and employed ourselves in finishing off two fresh
paddles, in lieu of those which had been lost.
We were very merry that evening, as it appeared to us that our
difficulties were well-nigh over. We had meat enough to last us for
some days, and we might reasonably expect to obtain as much as we could
want on the voyage by landing and spending a day or part of a day in
hunting; still we were not altogether free from care. Martin was
excessively anxious about his parents. He could not avoid recollecting
the bad disposition shown by the Indians; and though his father and
mother might not have been molested, or might have managed to escape,
there was a fearful possibility of their having been attacked and
murdered.
We were still also doubtful whether Sandy and Pat had got away in safety
from the fort, though we hoped that they had, and had arrived safely at
Fort Ross. If so, we might, by keeping a lookout on the right bank of
the river, see any expedition which, we felt sure, would be sent up to
restore Fort Black.
Having breakfasted, we again launched our canoe, but we found on putting
her into the water that she leaked in two or three places, where the gum
had been knocked off. We had to haul her up again, light our fire, and
heat some more gum to stop the leaks. This occupied us for some time,
but at length we were fairly under way; and singing "Row, brothers,
row," we began paddling down the stream.
We agreed not to attempt shooting any rapids we might meet with, but
rather to land and make a portage with our canoe. Two of us could carry
her on our shoulders without difficulty, and, as Robin remarked, she
weighed scarcely a feather when four of us lifted her. Though we
intended camping on the left bank, we kept over to the right side, that
we might have a better chance of seeing any party travelling towards
Fort Black.
The morning had been fine, and we expected to be able to continue on all
day; but before noon clouds gathered in the sky, from which a vivid
flash of lightning darted towards us, followed by a tremendous peal of
thunder; then came in quick succession another and another flash, with
deafening peals. The wind began to blow up the river, and its hitherto
calm surface was broken into angry waves. Down rushed the rain, half
filling our canoe.
"We must make for the shore, lads!" exclaimed Alick, as a heavy sea
broke over our bows. "Paddle, lads, for your lives! This is no joke,"
he added; and he had good reason for saying what he did, for our light
bark was tossed about in a way which rendered it difficult to steer her.
We all energetically worked at our paddles. We had some way to go. The
wind increased, the thunder roared, and the lightning flashed faster
than ever.
Alick kept the canoe with her head partly up the stream, so that we
crossed diagonally, or the canoe would have been upset, as the
increasing waves rolled against her. At length the northern bank was
reached, but we had still the difficulty of landing. The waves were
washing against it with considerable force, and should our canoe be
driven against any projecting branches, a dangerous rent might be made
in it in a moment, and before we could get safely on shore we might be
carried away by the current. We had therefore to look out for some bay
or creek up which we could run, so as to be sheltered from the waves.
The wind blew now rather up the river than across it, and enabled us to
stem the current. We had gone some little distance when we saw the
place we were seeking.
"Look out, and see that there are no snags or branches ahead of us,"
cried Alick to Robin, who had the bow paddle. "If you can find a clear
space, we will run the canoe alongside the bank."
"There is a spot that will do," answered Robin; "and I'll jump on shore
and hold her while you get out."
Gently paddling the canoe, the next moment we got her up to the bank and
stepped on shore in safety. We then hauled her up, but we were not free
of danger. Tall trees surrounded the place, their tops waving to and
fro and bending to the gale. Every now and then fragments of branches
were torn off and carried to a distance. There was a risk of one of
them falling on us, or on the canoe, and crushing her; but it was
impossible to shift our position, so we had to make the best of it and
pray that we might be preserved.
We at first ran for shelter under one of the tall trees, and Robin
proposed that we should build a hut against it, with a fire in front at
which we might dry our wet clothes.
"That would do very well, if it were not for the lightning," observed
Alick. "At any moment that tree might be struck, and we, if close to
the trunk, might all be killed or severely injured."
As he said this, Robin and I, who were leaning against it, sprang out
into the open. The next instant a loud report was heard; a branch came
crashing down, and the stout tree appeared riven to the very roots!
Happily the branch fell on one side.
"We may thank Providence that we have all escaped," said Alick. "It
won't do to be standing out here exposed to the rain. The sooner we can
get up a hut of some sort the better."
The branch which had fallen afforded us the framework of a hut. Alick,
taking the axe, cut off as many pieces as we required, pointing them so
that we could run them deep into the earth. A little way off there was
an abundance of bark, which, seizing, we quickly dragged up to the spot.
Hurrying out of the wood again as fast as we could, in a short time we
had a roughly-formed hut erected, sufficient to turn off the rain. The
spot was almost completely sheltered from the wind, so that we had no
fear about lighting a fire. At the same time the wood was already so
wet that it cost us some trouble to ignite it. We succeeded at last,
and, drawing it close up to the hut, it afforded us warmth and enabled
us to dry our wet clothes.
The rain soon ceased, but the wind held and whistled in the branches.
The thunder roared, and flashes of lightning illumined the dark sky. We
had reason to be thankful that we were so far protected, and hoped that
we might escape any other falling branches or the effects of the
lightning. Had we ventured to land in a more exposed situation, our
canoe might at any moment have been blown off into the river, while we
could neither have put up a hut nor have lighted a fire.
We sat on hour after hour, hoping that the storm would cease. The
ground was too damp to allow us to lie down with any prospect of
comfort; but we had some pieces of bark which afforded us seats, and had
we had time to get larger pieces we might have rested with more comfort.
Thus the night passed away, but when daylight returned the storm was
blowing with as much fury as before. Though we saw masses of leaves and
branches flying over our heads, none of the latter fell into our
sheltered little nook. We agreed that it would be wise to remain where
we were.
Alick employed himself, with Martin's assistance, in making a pair of
moccasins, which, though rough and ugly, were calculated to protect his
feet from the thorns and splinters he might step upon in the forest. I
mended my shoes, patching them with small pieces of bearskin; but they
would not have served for a long walk. Robin improved one of the
paddles, which had been roughly cut out at first.
Thus we passed the greater part of the morning seated before our fire,
except when we were cooking and eating some bear's flesh to satisfy our
hunger.
We had formed also two lookout holes at the back of our hut, through
which we could watch should any deer or other animals come near, which
we thought it possible they might do for the sake of the shelter it
afforded. Robin was continually jumping up to take a look out; but in
that respect we were disappointed.
Soon after noon the wind began to fall, as we knew by the decrease of
its sound among the trees and the lessened agitation of the boughs
overhead.
"Come, boys, we may make a few miles good this evening," exclaimed
Alick, jumping up. "If we find the river still too rough, we can but
put back and spend the night here; but I suspect that in a short time
the wind will drop altogether, and we shall be able to paddle on till
dark. We are sure to find some place or other where we can land to camp
for the night."
We accordingly lost no time in lifting our canoe into the water and
getting on board. Bouncer, observing the careful way in which we
stepped into our canoe, imitated our example, his sagacity showing him
that if he were to leap on the gunwale he might upset her.
Once more we shoved off, and going down the creek were soon in the open
river. By this time it was almost calm, and the water was perfectly
smooth.
We paddled on at a quick rate, the river being free of obstructions of
any sort, while at the same time we kept a lookout on both sides for the
appearance of either friends or foes, or of any game.
The air after the storm was unusually pleasant, and our spirits rose.
The banks on either side were wooded, and prevented us from seeing to
any distance beyond them. Here and there, however, grassy points ran
out into the stream, on which it was possible that deer might be found
feeding, while in little bays and indentations of the banks tall reeds
grew, likely to afford shelter to wild-fowl.
We were just about to round one of these points when a duck flying up
directed its course across the river. Putting in my paddle, I seized my
gun, and was on the point of firing at it when Alick exclaimed, "Hold
fast! see out there;" and as I looked ahead, I observed on a low, grassy
point a herd of five or six deer, which had come down to the river to
drink. Some of them, catching sight of the canoe, looked up and stood
curiously watching us. Our great object was now to approach without
frightening them.
"Keep silence, all of you," whispered Alick. "Paddle cautiously on.
Get ready your guns, so as to fire when I tell you."
We did as he bade us.
"We must have one of those fellows, at all events, and two if we can.
It will be provoking to lose them altogether," said Alick.
He steered first directly towards the opposite side of the stream, so as
not to alarm the deer sooner than was necessary; then altering the
course of the canoe, we made directly for the point where the animals
were standing, their curiosity still inducing them to remain watching
us. We had got almost within shot when they took the alarm, and turning
round retreated into the wood.
Exclamations of disappointment escaped from all of us, for we thought
that we should see no more of them.
"Don't think they are lost; we may still have them," cried Alick.
"Paddle away as hard as you can go, and we'll land and give chase. We
may get round them and drive them back towards the water."
Instead of steering for the point where the deer had been standing, he
directed the course of the canoe higher up the river, and as we neared
the bank he cried out, "David, you and Martin remain on board, and Robin
and I will make our way through the wood, and endeavour to turn the
deer."
As he said this, he tried the depth of the water, and finding that it
was shallow, and the bottom hard, he stepped out, followed by Robin and
Bouncer, when, soon getting on shore, all three hurried off through the
wood, which was there considerably open.
We watched them making their way amid the trees till they were lost to
sight. I feared that there was little chance of their driving back the
deer; still Martin and I kept a lookout along the shore, on the
possibility of the animals returning, either driven by Alick and Robin,
or, supposing all danger to have passed, to finish their evening's
draught.
Several wild-fowl got up and went flying across the stream, some within
shot; but we were afraid of firing, lest we should alarm the nobler
game. We kept our paddles ready to urge the canoe in any direction
which might be necessary.
Our patience was somewhat tried. It was possible, however, that Alick
and Robin might get near enough to the deer to shoot one of them, and we
listened eagerly for the report of their guns. We waited and waited,
when we saw some way down the stream a magnificent buck burst forth from
amid the trees and rush towards the water. Without hesitating a moment
he plunged in and began to swim towards the opposite bank.
"Paddle away," I cried out to Martin. "We may have him before he
lands."
We did paddle, with might and main, feeling almost sure of the prize;
but the deer swam rapidly, and the current, which he did not attempt to
stem, carried him down. It was, however, impelling our canoe, so that
made no difference. As we advanced, we saw a low island of some extent
about two-thirds of the way across the river. The deer was making for
it. Should he land he would gain considerably on us.
Martin proposed that we should steer for the southern side, so as to
intercept him. We were close to the western end of the island, on which
the deer was about to land, when I thought that I could hit him. I
fired. My bullet took effect--of that I was sure; but the deer still
continued his course. Martin now steered the canoe as we had proposed,
and we saw the deer land and begin to make his way across the island.
It was evident, however, that my shot had injured him, for he moved
slowly, and by exerting ourselves to the utmost we were soon able again
to get him within range. He stopped and gazed at us, apparently not
expecting to see us again in front of him. Instead of taking to the
water he moved on towards the east end of the island. Again he stopped,
facing us, when raising my rifle I sent a shot directly at his breast.
Lifting up his head, and vainly endeavouring to recover himself, he
slowly sank down on his knees, and the next instant rolled over dead.
Martin and I, uttering a shout of triumph, paddled towards the shore.
"Shall we cut him up at once, or go back and take Alick and Robin on
board, and then return for the purpose?" asked Martin.
"It may probably be some time before they get back to the bank," I
answered; "and I think it would be best to cut up the deer, and then we
shall astonish them with the result of our exploit."
Of course we felt not a little proud of our success. We accordingly
landed, and set to work in a scientific manner--first skinning the deer,
and then by means of our axe and long knives cutting it up into pieces.
We took only the best portions, with bits for Bouncer's share, leaving
the rest of the carcass with the head, excepting the tongue and the
antlers, which might be useful for manufacturing spears and other
articles.
We extricated also some of the sinews, which we were sure to want.
Having loaded our canoe, we shoved off and began to paddle back towards
the place where Alick and Robin had landed, looking out for them, in
case they should appear in any other part of the bank. We found it a
very difficult matter, however, to get up the stream. When we went in
chase of the deer we had the current with us, and the canoe was light.
Now we had a cargo on board. Though we exerted ourselves to the utmost,
we made but slow progress, till Martin proposed that we should pull up
near the right bank, where the current appeared to run with less
strength.
Neither of our companions appearing, it did not seem that we need be in
any great hurry until we observed that the sun had sunk low, and that,
before long, darkness would come on; still, as we were doing our best,
we could do no more. We at last got up some way above the spot where we
had seen the deer, and after relaxing our efforts for a minute or two to
regain strength, we directed the canoe straight across the stream. We
hoped, as we drew near the left bank, that Alick and Robin would make
their appearance, and we began to be somewhat anxious at not seeing
them.
"They were probably induced to follow the deer farther than they
intended," observed Martin, "and perhaps, hearing our shots, may have
gone down the river; and if so, we might have saved ourselves our
fatiguing paddle."
On looking along the bank, however, as we could nowhere see them we
finally paddled in for the shore, and very glad we were to reach a spot
where we could rest. Throwing the painter round the branch of a tree
which projected over the water, we hung on to it to wait for our
companions' return. We shouted to them to attract their attention, but
no answer came, and we were unwilling to expend a charge of powder by
firing a signal, as our stock was limited, and it was necessary to
husband it as much as possible.
The shades of evening were already extending across the river, the
bright reflection from the clouds gradually giving place to a uniform
grey tint, which soon spread over the whole surface. Martin proposed
that we should land and light a fire to cook our venison, for neither of
us fancied having to spend the night cramped up in a canoe.
"Let us first give another shout. Perhaps they'll hear it, and know
where we are," I said.
We hailed two or three times. At last, as there was only just
sufficient light to enable us to see our way, we paddled up to the bank,
unloaded our canoe, and hauled her up. We then piled up the venison,
covering it over with the deerskin, lighted a fire, and began cooking
some steaks. We were thus engaged when we heard a rustling in the
brushwood. We started up with our guns in our hands, expecting to see a
deer or bear, when Bouncer came rushing towards us, leaping up and
licking his jaws. Martin examined his mouth and sides.
"Depend upon it he has had a good tuck-out, the rogue, and feels in a
happy humour," observed Martin. "They have killed a deer, and we shall
see them here before long."
Martin was right, for in a few minutes Alick and Robin came trudging up
to the camp, heavily-laden with venison.
"We have brought you something to eat, boys," said Alick. "Thanks to
Bouncer's guidance, we followed up one of the deer till we shot him, but
we have had a heavy tramp back. We should have brought the deerskin,
but the meat was of more consequence, and we must go back and get it
to-morrow morning. Hillo! you seem to have got something!"
"I think we have," I answered, exhibiting our pile of venison.
We then described how we had shot the deer; still, as the deerskin would
prove of value for many purposes, we settled to go for it at daylight.
We had now an abundance of venison, in addition to some of the dried
bear's flesh which still remained. Though the Indians often suffer from
hunger in this region, so teeming with animal life, it is entirely in
consequence of their own want of forethought, as most of them when they
obtain food feast on it till it is gone, and few are wise enough to lay
up a store for the future. Thousands of buffalo are slaughtered on the
prairies, and their carcasses allowed to rot, which, if distributed
among the people, would supply every native in the country with an
abundance of wholesome food.
We had never been without provisions, though sometimes we had run rather
short. We had, therefore, no fear for the future.
Next morning, Alick and Robin having obtained the skin of the deer they
had shot, we proceeded on our voyage. We at first made good way, aided
by the current; but as the day advanced, a strong wind arose which
created a considerable amount of sea in the river. Our canoe being more
deeply laden than usual, with the venison we had on board, the water
began to wash over the bows.
We had set Robin to work to bail it out; still there appeared to be no
actual danger, and we continued our course. As we went on, however, the
wind increased, and meeting the current, which here ran stronger than in
other places, the canoe was half filled by a foaming wave into which she
plunged.
Robin bailed away with all his might.
"This will never do," cried Alick. "If we meet another wave like that
the canoe will be swamped. We must make for the shore. Paddle away,
boys, as fast as you can!"
We exerted ourselves to the utmost, for we saw the danger to which we
were exposed. Martin proposed throwing some of the cargo overboard.
"Not if we can help it," cried Alick. "It would be a pity to lose so
much good meat. The water looks smoother towards the south bank, and we
shall soon be out of danger."
In this respect he was not mistaken, but we saw that had we continued on
longer the canoe would to a certainty have been filled, for line after
line of white breakers extended completely across the stream. We found
a safe place for landing, with a sufficient number of trees and
brushwood to afford us fuel for our fire, the place also being sheltered
by a high bank from the wind. We landed our cargo, and hauling up the
canoe, turned her over to empty out the water. It seemed a wonder from
the quantity there was in her that she had not sunk.