Year: 1859

SNtAcdtAOASe kAC cdlASnCQ k1C uISt
with half melted snow, and the second
with raw buffalo meat. When the fire
(Which had dwindled to few glimmer-
ing sparks) was-relighted, he roasted the
meat; and wrecklessly devoured three
days rations at meal BY the morning
he was so much better (partly through
the rest which the laudanum had given
TO his mind partly through the sustenance
which the excess of food had afforded to
his BODY that the preservation of his
life became once more a matter Of some
interest to him. He tottered out, lean
ing on his rife, to get little exercise.
In few days he contrived to walk as far
as the top of low hill, from which he
could look forth, all around, over the
lonesome prospect.


By this time the provisions were at
an end, and the last faint hope of rescue
from the Mission had died out of his
mind. 1t was question now, whether
the man should devour the wolves, or the


wolves the man. The man had bis rife,


his ammunition, and his steady resolution


to fight it out with solitude, cold and
starvation to the very last-and the


wolves dropped under his bullets, and fed


him with their dry, sinewy flesh He


took the best part of the meat only and


left the rest. Every morning the car
casses abandoned over night were miss


ing. The wolves that were living de-


youred to the last morsel the wolves that


were dead.


He grew accustomed to his wretched


and revolving food, and to every other


hardship of his forlorn situation-except


the solitude of it. The unutterable op-
preston of mis- own lonliness hung upon


his mind, heavier weight with each


succeeding day. A savage shyness of


the idea of the meeting with any living


human creature began to take possession


of him. There were moments when he


underwent the most fearful of all mortal


trials-tEe conscious struggle to keep


the control of his own senses. At such


times, ne sang. and whistled, and extend


ed his walks to the utmost limits that his


strength would allow; and so, by main


force, as it were, held his own tottering


reason still in its place.


Thus, the woful time-the dreary,


lonely. hopeless hours-wore on till he


had cut his sixteenth notch in the tent


pole. This was a memorable day in the


history of the Crusoe Of the snowy des-
ert.


| He had walked ou. to the top of the
| little hill to watch the suns way down
: ward in the wintry beavea, and be was
YEARLY looking about him. as usual, wher
he saw two human figures, specks as yet
in the distance, approaching from the fal


north. The warning of the Delaware
Indian came back to his memory, and re
minded him that those two men were ap
preaching from the district of the mur
; derous Pawnees.


A moments consideration decided him


to await the coming of these stranger
ir place Of ambush, which commanded
view of his tent. If they were Paw
$ nees, he knew that the time had com
e when they or be must die.


5 He went back to the tent, armed him
self with as many weapons as he coul
; carry, took the percussion caps of tn
e rest, and hid them under his bed. The
d be put wood on the fire. so as to let tn
= smoke rise freely through the opening a
d the top Of the tent, and thereby strength
y en- any suspicion in the minds Of th
q strangers that living man was inside it
II and he next fastened the second openin
: which served for door, tying it on th
q inner side, as if he had shut himself u
ie for the night. This done, he withdre
e to the frozen river Of Sandy Hill Creel
ie about hundred and fifty PAGES of, wall
Ie ing backwards so as to make his 70,
y marks in the snow appear to be Ieadin
e 10 the tent, instead Of away from il. A
! rived on the ice, of which the high winc
% had drifted the snow up On the banks,
d took of his shoes for fear the nails


them might betray him by scratches c
b the smoothly frozen surface, and tbs
2. followed the stream over the ice, till
Il reached the winding which brought
'r course nearest to bis tent. Here
d climbed up the bank, between two sno
j. drifts, and bid himself among some wit
Of cred bushes, where the twigs and stall
D. gave him sight Of the tent, and ju
a. room enough besides, for the use Of
ut weapons.


p In this situation, be watched and i
be tened. Although the frost was 50