towards a long point projecting from the mainland, much nearer me than
the island; and although I used the utmost caution in paddling, the
canoe sunk under me some distance from the shore. The lake, however,
was fortunately shallow at this place, so that I soon found bottom.
Had there been the least ripple on the water, I could not have
escaped; but the weather was perfectly calm, and the lake smooth as
glass.

In the early part of next winter, I went again in pursuit of the
deer; and although I incurred no great risk of losing my life, I yet
experienced such inconveniences as seldom fall to the lot of amateur
hunters in other parts of the world. I left the house early in the
morning, and, starting a deer close by, gave chase, following the
track over hill and dale, until I reached a high ridge bordering on
Lac de Sable. Here the deer slackened his pace, and appeared, by his
track, to have descended slowly into a valley, where he remained until
I started him a second time. I still continued the pursuit, without
thinking of time or distance from the establishment. At length the
night evidently began to close, and I felt faint and exhausted from
want of food, and the exertions I had made during the day. I therefore
gave up the chase; but to retrace my steps by the devious path by
which I had pursued the deer, would have occupied the greater part of
the night; I therefore resolved on returning by a more direct course;
but the upshot was, that, after wandering about for some time, and
repeatedly falling on my own tracks, I passed the night in the woods.
Although nearly overcome with fatigue, I durst not think of lying
down, well knowing what the consequence would be; I therefore walked
backwards and forwards, on a beaten track, the whole night; and next
morning adopted the sure course of finding my way by my tracks of the
preceding day. Meeting an Indian by the way, who had been sent in