unfortunate fellows were left to brave the tempest as they best might.

The next morning, the lake was white with breakers. The storm of the
preceding night had brought a strong north-wester in its train, so that
we found it impossible to launch our canoe--and, indeed, if we had, it
would have been unsafe to have attempted the passage therein; there was
nothing else for us but patience. But the worst part of the business
was, that we had barely sufficient provisions for breakfast, and what
the professor said--"Was worse than all--there was not a single horn of
whiskey left in the jar."

The merchant and three of our party now determined to take the woods,
and endeavour to reach Goderich by that route, leaving us to follow
with the canoe if the wind should fall, of which, however, there
appeared but little chance.

It now became expedient that we should look out for food of some
description, as there was no doubt we should have to pass another
night. On examining the state of our larder, we found that our whole
stock consisted of half a loaf of bread, and a few ounces of sugar--
rather short commons for four hungry men, even for a single meal.

We had no gun with us, or any fishing-lines. I had, it is true, a
spear, but there was too much wind to fish in the harbour. Luckily, I
bethought myself of the falls up the creek, where there was a pool
sheltered by the woods. Thither we went with the canoe, and succeeded
in spearing a number of suckers, which are, without exception, the
softest and worst of all Canadian fish, especially in the hot months;
but even bad suckers are better than nothing. Our first starvation-
dinner consisted of a dish of boiled fish, a little bread, and a cup of