were either wandering about there or in the power of

the savages was, he felt, out of the question. Yet in

which way should he go? Whatever course he took

might lead him farther and farther away from them.

In this dilemma he came to the determination of

remaining where he was, at least until the snow should

leave the ground.

He felt great relief even when this hopeless course

was decided upon, and set about making himself an encampment

with some degree of cheerfulness. When he