going straight forward, and had gone on forabout two hours or more, when I found my feet strike against an objecton the ground. I felt it was part of an animal. A further examinationconvinced me it was the body of the deer I had killed; and I found, tomy annoyance, that I had been going in a circle, and had reached thevery spot whence I had set out. It would be useless, I felt, to makeanother attempt to reach the camp, and I made up my mind to remain whereI was. I had my flint and steel, and so I searched about for brokenbranches to make up a fire. I had not forgotten the risk I ran of beingbitten by a snake. I searched and searched for some time, but in thedark I could only find a few sticks, though very likely I passed by manywhich would have served my purpose.
I was thus employed, when I heard a howl at no great distance off. Itwas the voice of a wolf. It was repeated by another and another. Thesounds grew nearer and nearer, until it appeared to me that a whole packmust be collecting around me. Had I been able to make up a large fire,I should have had no fear of the savage creatures. I threw down mysticks, with a handful of leaves which I had picked up, and endeavouredto strike a light; but the leaves were damp, and would not catch thesparks I sent among them.
All this time the howling increased. The wolves were attracted, I hadno doubt, by the carcass of the deer, and they might be content withthat instead of attacking me; but when they had finished it--and itcould not last long--I thought it probable that I should become theirvictim. I tried again and again to light the fire, but in vain.
The wolves now broke into loud cries and howls, and I could nowdistinguish their forms as they approached the spot. I shouted at thetop of my voice, hoping to drive them off. They halted, apparently; butthe moment I was silent they again advanced. I might have shot two orthree of them, but should have expended my ammunition before I couldkill the whole pack. I remembered that near at hand was a tree, withbranches at a height from the ground to which I could reach. I searchedabout for it, and found it was close at hand. Slinging my rifle over myshoulder--for I felt the importance of not abandoning it--I caught holdof the lowest branch, and, hauling myself up, got my feet upon it. Iwas thus able to climb up to another, out of the reach of the wolves,which could, I knew, leap up to a considerable height, and might haveattacked my feet had I remained on the lower branch.
Unless the brutes should go off in search of other prey when they hadfinished the deer, I should have to remain in the tree all night. Itwas a far from comfortable position; still it was better than being tornto pieces by the brutes. I was afraid of moving about when once I hadfixed myself on the branch, lest I should fall, as my rifle and load ofvenison greatly impeded my movements. I managed, however, to unsling myrifle, and seat myself in a position whence I might fire at the wolves.
Scarcely was I secure in the tree, than on they came, rushing at thedeer, which must quickly have been torn to pieces. I could see onlytheir backs and tails in a thick mass surging about in the gloom. Ifired and killed one, which its companions quickly devoured. I wasabout to fire again, when I reflected that by so doing I should onlydetain the horrid brutes close to me, and that they were much morelikely to take their departure should they find nothing on which tofeast. They must, however, have scented the venison I had, for theycame round the tree, howling, and snapping, and snarling, trying to getat me. It was like a hideous dream. I shouted again and again, in thehope of driving them away; but they seemed resolved on my destruction.I may say that I never passed a more unpleasant night in my life. Theonly hope I had was that my friends would come to search for me in themorning, and that they might be attracted to the spot by the howling ofthe animals. I had no fear of going to sleep while the wolves kept uptheir hideous chorus.
Towards morning a drowsiness crept over me, and I had the greatestdifficulty in maintaining my perilous position. I kept myself awake,however, by uttering every now and then a loud shout. At last I becameconscious that the light was increasing, although I could nowhere seethe bright streaks which usually usher in the dawn. Looking up, I sawthat the sky was overcast, as on the previous evening; and I feared thatI might still find it a very difficult matter to make my way, evenshould 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 hadonly the raw venison to eat. As the light increased, I broke off somerotten branches, with which I pelted the wolves, uttering at the sametime loud cries; but they only snapped at the pieces of wood, provinghow they would have treated me had I fallen among them. I was greatlytempted to kill some more of them, but, remembering how they haddevoured the one I had before shot, I refrained. Though almostoverpowered with the desire to sleep, the dread of falling into theirmidst kept me awake.
Hour after hour passed by. In vain I looked out for my companions; nosigns of them could I discover, though I climbed to the highest part ofthe tree, nor could I anywhere see the smoke of their fire. It wasalready past noon, when I caught sight of a solitary deer making its wayacross 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 wholepack. The deer saw them coming, and endeavoured to increase its speed;but it was, I suspect, wounded, perhaps by one of my friends, thusgiving me hopes that I might before long fall in with them.
As soon as the wolves disappeared I descended the tree; and feelingdesperately hungry, I lost no time in collecting sticks, which I couldnow easily do, and lighting a fire, aided by some rotten wood which Ifound in a hollow trunk near at hand. My venison was but very partiallycooked when, unable to restrain my appetite, I began to eat it. After afew mouthfuls, however, the thirst which came on made me look about insearch of water; but I could find none near at hand. The meat was inthe meantime cooking. I ate enough to satisfy my hunger, and would havegiven much for a drop of pure water. Without it, I felt that I shouldnot have strength sufficient to resume the search for my companions. Ishould have left the greater part of the venison behind me, as I knewthat it would not keep long, but that I hoped to fall in with thembefore long, and guessed, in case Lejoillie and Carlos had failed tokill a deer, they would be very glad of it.
My difficulty was now how to direct my course. I looked round in everydirection. The country wore so uniform an appearance that I could notdetermine from what point I had come. Had there been water near athand, I should have remained where I was--the wisest thing to do undersuch circumstances; but water I must have, or I should perish. Iaccordingly set off intending to keep a straight line, and hoping tofall in with my companions, or to discover their trail should I strikethe lake. I should then obtain the necessary water, and know afterwardshow to direct my course. Praying that I might be successful, I took myrifle in my hand, ready for use, and marched forward. On and on I went,keeping along the pine-barrens, and avoiding two hummocks I met with. Ihad no longer any desire to eat, though I felt fearfully faint fromthirst; but, unfortunately, I could discover no fruits with which toassuage it.
Once more evening was approaching. I scarcely expected to get throughanother night without water. I was almost dropping with fatigue, when Icaught sight, between the trees, of what looked like a pool in a hollow.I hurried forward as fast as my strength would allow me, and discoveredthat it was the bed of a river. Though a large portion was dry, therewere here and there pools along its course. I did not stop to ascertainwhether the water was pure or foul, or whether the pool was full ofalligators; but stooping down, I eagerly dipped in my hand, and conveyedthe precious liquid to my mouth.
The clouds had cleared away from the horizon, and I was thus able toascertain the whereabouts of the west by seeing the sun setting with afiery aspect in its full circular form. By this I knew full well that asultry day would follow. Multitudes of insects now filled the air,buzzing round my head; hundreds of piping frogs rose from the pool atwhich I had drunk; the birds flew to their roosts; the squirrels ran totheir nests; and I could hear the voices of several herons as theywended their way to the distant
swamps. Now the night-birds broke forthwith their shrill cries; but overpowering sleep oppressed me. Even theroar of an alligator or the cry of a puma could not have kept me awake.Darkness rapidly came on, and there was no moon to light me on my path.Making my way to the nearest tree, whose spreading branches affordedsome shelter from the night-dews, I knelt down and prayed for thatprotection which I felt I so greatly needed. Then I stretched myself onthe ground, and almost in an instant was asleep.
I awoke, conscious that some animal was near me. I felt its breath onmy face, and it had taken my hand in its mouth. I expected the nextmoment to have its fangs fixed in my flesh; but still I could not move.Then I heard a low whimper, followed by a bark. I started up, andopening my eyes, discovered my faithful dog Caesar, who was endeavouringto arouse me to consciousness. I returned his caresses as he fawned onme, finding me not dead as he supposed. It was still dark; but I nolonger dreaded having to wander about by myself; he would prove