American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1822-06-07
From BlackrVoOd's Magazine.
ADVENTURE IN THE NORTHWEST
TERRITORY.

After residing nearly year in one Of the mos
distant posts of the North West Company and con
Quoting the fur trade there, began to look forward
to my return to Montreal. | waited with the great
est Impotence for the arrival of the period which
was to terminate my Punishment and restore me t.
society l was nearly 5000 miles distant from
any settlement and my only companions were two
young men, clerks of the establishment. whose cha
racters and limited requirements rendered then
very undressing associates. My situation wa
one OF considerable responsibility. A great num-
Der OF Canadians in the service of the Company
resided at the post and were under my control blu
found it very difficult matter to keep them in
state OF due subordnation and to prevent them from
quarreling and fighting with the detached partie,
of Indians that occasionally visited for the pur-
pose of trading Interest and personal safety alik,
required that we should be on friendly terms with
the natives; and spent many anxious hours in en-
deavoring to promote mutual peace and good hui
NOR.
Our post was situated upon the banks of a small
lake, about sixteen miles broad. This lake dscharg
ed itself by means OF river, into another of mucl
greater dimensions land thick forests covered every
part OF the neighboring country.
One afternoon / took my gun and strolled out IL
search OF game. Though it was now the begin
ming of Spring, the lake was still frozen complete
across--the cold of the preceding winter havin
|
wild ducks but before could get shot at then
they began to fly towards The middle of the lake
However, followed them learlessly the ice. 1
the expectation that they would soon alight. Til
weather was mild, though rather blowy. DE
tached black clouds moved rapidly along the fac
| oil Heaven, in immense masses and the sun bla2
ed forth in unobscured splendor at ore moment an
was completely shrouded from the eye the next
| was so intent on the pursuit OF my game that
fastened forwards almost uncon,ciously, my pro
Igress being much facilitated by thin layer of sno
which covered the ice and rendered the footing to
erabIy secure. AT last fired at the ducks and Kill
ed one and wounded another. ] Immediately pict
led up the first; but its companion having only bee
winged, began to leap away before caught hold {
ut followed; but had not advanced more than 2
yards, when to my establishment found, that tn
ice was in many places covered with water to III
depth of several inches stopt short, full OF aarr
and irresolute what to do 1t was evident that
lthaw had already commenced; and as l we'll knee
with what rapidity the ice broke up, when once al
Ifected by change of temperature, became alv
Ito all the dangers of my situation and almost shuc
dered at the thought of moving from the spot Q
which stood
| The weather had crown calm and hazy and th
lsky was very black and lowering Large fakes
snow soon began to fall anguidly and perpendicr
lary through the air; and after a little time, thes
were accompanied by thick shower of sleety rair
which gradually became so dense that | could nc
discern the shore. strained my to catch
lgance OF some living object but dreary and roc
ltonless expanse stretched around me on every side
land the appalling silence that prevailed was some
times interrupted by the receding cries of the
led bird. A nature seemed to be awaiting som
Terrible event listened in fearful suspense, thong
II knew not what expected to hear. | soon dstir
auished distant laundering noise, which gradual
became stronger and appeared to approach til
tplsce where stood. Repeated explosions and no
low murmurings of irregular loudness, were sue
ceeded by tremendous sound, like that of rock
bursting asunder. The ice trembled beneath m
feet and the next moment it was dsunited by va
Ichasm which opened itself within few yards {
me. The water OF the lake rushed upwards throug
the gap with foaming fury and began to flood tn
Isurface all around.
] started backwards and ran, as l conceived, to
wards the shore ; but my progress was soon stol
lby one of those weak parts OF the ice, called air
lhoies While walking cautiously around it, m
mind grew somewhat composed and resolved M
Ito advance any farther until had fixed upon som
way of regulating my course; but found this
lbe impossible. vainIY endeayored to discern Ian,
land the moaning of the wind among the distant 70
lrests alone indicated that there was any at all mes
me. Strong and irregular blasts, loaded with sno
land sleet swept wildly along involving every thin
lin obscurity and bewdering my steps with malig
nant influence. sometimes fanced saw the spt
where our post was situated and even the trees an
houses upon it; but the next moment a gust
wind would whir away the fantastic shaped fog
that had produced the agreeable illusion and reduc
me to actonless despair.
fired my gun repeatedly, in the hope that the r,
port would bring some one to my assistance; how
ever, the shores alone acknowledged by feeble eel
oes, that the sound had reached them.
The storm increased in violence and at interva
the sound of the ice breaking up, rolled upon m
ear like distant thunder and seemed to mutter ap
lpalling threats. Alarm and fatigue made me dizz
land threw down my gun and rushed forwards