In the meantime, the wind was getting up and low, angry clouds were scudding across the sky, which foretold, as a sailor would say, “a dirty night.” Not expecting to be so long away, I had not brought provisions with me, so was beginning to feel hungry.
The sun had long since disappeared and the night was coming on, so I thought it best to look for a good camping place. I luckily came across a spot with any amount of dry and green wood, so started to make things comfortable for the night. I first of all cut down some green trees and with the branches made a shelter. Then I cut enough dry wood to last the night, made a good fire and lay down in front of it. Fortunately, having a good supply of tobacco and my pipe, I was able to make myself comfortable.
About 8 o’clock, however, things changed for the worse. The thermometer dropped and it began to blow and snow. It snowed more or less all night, and having no blankets or overcoat with me, I was employed the best part of the night in keeping the fire burning. The long night came to an end at last. The wind dropped and the snow ceased falling. Soon the sun appeared above the tree tops, looking warm and big. I was then enabled to get my bearings. I took out my watch and pointed the hour hand towards the sun. Midway between the hour hand and twelve o’clock I knew was south. It does not matter what hour of the day one does this, the result is the same.
By this means I was enabled to get my bearings, and knowing that I had been travelling in a more or less northeasterly direction the day previous I took a southwesterly course. After travelling for six hours through thick bush, climbing over dead falls and crossing many creeks, I struck the lake where I had left my canoe and found it a little over a mile from where I came out to the lake.
Ice was forming on the lake and the country was white with a blanket of snow. Having no mitts, my fingers got numbed from time to time. I soon launched the canoe and made for home. At last the post came in sight, and I can assure you that I received a great welcome. It was not long before I had a moose steak put before me. This, washed down with several cups of hot coffee, soon made me forget my experience of the night.
The Lure of the North
By CATHERINE L. NASON
Poets tell of the sunny climes
And speak in beautiful lines