Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-05-31
Mtsceuaneous Department.
From Biaek,coods .Uagazi,.e
ADVENTURE IN THE ~ WEST ,PERRI,TOR

Alter residing nearly year in one Of the most
distant posts OF the North West Coinpany and con-
quoting the fur trade there, began to look forward
10 my return To Montreal. waited with the great
est iinpatence for the arrival of the period which was
10 terminate my Punishment, and restore me 10 so
clety was nearly three thousand miles distant from
any settlement, and my only companions were two
young men, clerks OF the establishment whose charac-
tiers, aud limited requirements rendered them very un
interesting associates. My situation was one of con-
siderable responsibility. great nunhcr Of Canadians,
In The service of the company resided 1t the post and
were under my control; but found il very difficult
matter 10 Keep them in ofdue suboriinatou and
10 prevent them from quarreling and fighting with the
detached parties of Indians that occasionally visited H.,
Tor the purpose of trading. Interest and personal ga
~, alike required that should DC on friendly terms
With the natives and spent many anxious hours in
cndeavournS To promote mutual peace aud good hu
EnoHr,
Our post situated upon the banks of small lake
about sixteen miles broad. This lake DISCHARGED IT,
self by means Of river into of much greater
dimensions and tck forests covered every part of the
uelghoourIng country.
One afternoon, | took my gun, and strolled out in
search oil game Though II was now the beginning Of
spring, the lake still frozen completely across fine
cold OF the preceding having been very intense,
soon fell in with flock of wild ducks, but before /
cond get shot at them, they began fly towards the
middle OF the lake, however followed them fcarIessiv
over tlece IN expectation they would soon alrrht The
weather mild though rather blowv Detached
black clouds moved rapidly along the face OF Heaven
IN immense ma and the bazcd forth in unob.
SGuied splendOi at moment, and
SUI oudeu from the eye at the next intent on
the pursuit OF my game that fastened forward almost
unconscIousy, my progress being much facilitated by
thn layer OF snow which covered the ice aud rem
der2d the footing toieraby At last fired at
the ducks and killed aud wounded another.
immediately picked up tue first but his companion ay
ing only been winged, began 10 leap away before /
Caught hold Of it. followed, but had not advanced
than twenty yards, when TO nv asonisi,nent
found that the ice in places covered with wa
ter TO the depth Of several inches. stopped short full
oi alarm, and rrcSOIute what to do. Ii was evident
tlaW had already commenced and as well knew with
what rapdity the ice broke up when once affected by
Change OF temperature became alive to all the dan
gers Oh my situation and almost snddered at the
thought OF moving from the spot which stood.
HE weather had grown calm and laIy, and the ssv
was very black and lowering. Large flakes of snow
soon beganto fall Iangudy and perpendicuarIy through
the arr ani after little time, these were ACCOMPANIED
BY Il thick shower of sleety rain, which GRADUALLY be
came 50 dense, that could not discern the shore
strained my eyes to catch glance of some living object
but dreary aud motiOnle5s expanse stretched aro,
me on every side, and the appalling silence that pre-
vailed sometimes interrupted by the recedn eric,
OF the wounded bird. Al nature seemed TO be await .
ing some terrible event listened in fearful suspense
though knew rot What | expected to hear. I so,,
Distinguished di ant numbering noise which gradual
Is pecamc stronger, and appeared TO approach tLu place
where stood. Repeated OK yiosiuns, hollow nurrnur-
iug5 OF irregular 'uducss, were succeeded by ire
tncndouS sound Ike that Of rocks bursting asunder-
Tic ice trcu'CI beneath feet and the next moment
u d,unltel ~ vast clas,u which ouened itself
WITHIN few yard Of me The water of the lake rush
ed upwards trons the gap with fatnng fury, and be-
gan 10 Hood tic surface all around
Started back wards and ran As concojv cd towards
the shore; but my progress stopped bv one Of
those weak parts of bc called arhoIc while walk
ing cautiously around Il, my mind grew somewhat com
po'd, and resO ed not to advance ans farther until
! hid fixed upon some way Of regulating nv course
but found ila 10 be- impossible. yainly endeavored
TO discern iaud. and he moaning ofthc wind among the
distant forests alone Indicated that there was any At all
LII
aud lec swept wildly along, involving every thing in
obscurty, aud bcwdered my steps with malignant o-