During the absence of my friend everything went on at the fort in the usual quiet way, with this difference, that part of our educational course had to be given up, and I had to read the Pilgrim’s Progress instead of my friend, for the men had become so deeply interested in the adventures of Christian1 that they begged of me to continue the readings.
This I agreed to do, but confined myself simply to reading. I observed, however, that my audience did not seem to appreciate the story as much as before, and was getting somewhat disheartened about it, when one evening, as I was about to begin, Donald Bane said to me—
“If ye please, sur, the other laads an’ me’s been talking over this matter, an’ they want me to say that they would pe fery much obleeged if ye would expound2 the story as you go along, the same as Muster3 Lumley did.”
This speech both surprised and embarrassed me, for I had never before attempted anything in the way of exposition. I felt, however, that it would never do for a man in charge of an outpost in the Great Nor’-West to exhibit weakness on any point, whatever he might feel; I therefore resolved to comply.
“Well, Donald Bane,” I said, “it had been my intention to leave the exposition of the allegory to Mr Lumley, but as you all wish me to carry on that part of the reading I will do my best.”
So saying, I plunged4 at once into the story, and got on much more easily than I had expected; ideas and words flowing into my mind copiously5, insomuch that I found it difficult to stop, and on more than one occasion was awakened6 by a snore from one of the audience, to the fact that I had sent some of them to sleep.
In the midst of this pleasant, and I hope not unprofitable, work, an event occurred which had well-nigh stopped my commentaries on the Pilgrim’s Progress, and put an end to my career altogether.
I had gone out one morning with my gun to procure7 a few fresh ptarmigan, accompanied by Big Otter8. Our trusty Indian was beginning by that time to understand the English language, but he would not condescend9 to speak it. This, however, was of slight importance, as I had learned to jabber10 fluently in the native tongue.
We speedily half-filled the large game-bag which the Indian carried.
“I think we’ll go into the thicker woods now,” said I, “and try for some tree grouse11 by way of variety.”
Big Otter gave a mild grunt12 of assent13. He was not naturally given to much talking, and, being amiable14, was always ready to conform to any plan without discussion, unless expressly asked. Indeed, even when expressly asked, it was not always possible to get a satisfactory answer out of him.
“Do you think we should go up the Dark Valley, or over the Rocky Knoll15,” said I, referring to two well-known spots a considerable distance from the fort.
“The pale-face chief knows best.”
“Yes, but the pale-face asks what the red-face thinks,” said I, somewhat amused by the answer.
“He thinks that there are grouse in the Dark Valley, and also in the lands towards the setting sun over the Rocky Knoll.”
“If I were to ask you, Big Otter, which of the two directions you would like to take, what would you reply?”
“I would reply, ‘The direction that best pleases the pale-face chief.’”
“Now, Big Otter,” said I, firmly, for I was determined16 to get an answer out of him, “in which of the two paths are we most likely to find the greatest number of birds?”
“Assuredly in the path which shall be chosen by the pale-face. Is he not a great hunter? Does he not know the land?”
I gave in with a short laugh, and, turning, led the way over the Rocky Knoll into the dense17 forest at the back of the fort. Passing through a belt of this, we came upon more open ground, where the trees grew in clumps18, with willow-covered spaces between. Beyond that we re-entered the thick woods, and at once set up a covey of the birds we were in search of. There were six of them, and they all perched on a neighbouring tree.
Now it is sometimes the case that the birds of which I write are so tame that they will sit still on a tree till they are all shot, one by one, if only the hunter is careful to fire at the lowest bird first, and so proceed upwards19. If he should kill the top bird first, its fluttering fall disturbs the rest, causing them to take wing. Fully20 aware of this fact, Big Otter and I fired alternate shots, and in a few seconds brought down the whole covey. This quite filled one of our bags.
“You may take it home, Big Otter,” said I, “and tell them not to be alarmed if I don’t return till to-morrow. Perhaps I shall camp out.”
With his usual quiet grunt of acquiescence21 my red-skinned companion shouldered the full bag, and left me. I then struck into the thick woods, with the general bearings of which I was well acquainted, and soon after came across the fresh tracks of a deer, which I followed up hotly.
I am naturally a keen sportsman, and apt to forget both time and distance when pursuing game. As to distance, however, a backwoods hunter who intends to encamp on the spot where night finds him, does not need to concern himself much about that. I therefore plodded22 on, hour after hour, until the waning23 light told of the approach of darkness, and convinced me that further pursuit would be useless.
Looking round me then, for a suitable spot on which to make my encampment, I experienced almost a shock of surprise, not unmingled with alarm, on making the discovery that I had forgotten to bring my fire-bag!
To some people the serious nature of this may not at first be apparent. But they may appreciate the situation in some degree when I tell them that on that occasion I suddenly found myself about twenty miles from home, fatigued25, hungry, with the night descending26 over the wilderness27, the thermometer about thirty-five below zero, of Fahrenheit’s scale, with the snow for my bed, and without that all important flint, steel and tinder, wherewith to procure fire for the cooking of my food and the warming of my frame!
It is true I had my gun, which was a flint one, so that by rubbing some slightly moistened gunpowder28 on a piece of rag, which I tore from my shirt for the purpose, and snapping the lock over it there was a possibility of a spark catching29, but unfortunately the flint was a much worn one which I had chipped away to such an extent during the day, to improve its fire-producing powers, that only the merest glimmer31 of a spark was evolved after many snappings, and it was so feeble as to be quite unable to catch hold of my extemporised tinder. After prolonged and fruitless efforts the intense cold began to chill me, and being well aware of the great danger of getting benumbed, or of falling into that torpid32 state of indifference33 to life, coupled with intense desire for rest which precedes death from cold, I made up my mind at once, tired and hungry though I was, to turn round and walk straight back to the fort.
I knew myself to be quite capable of walking forty miles on snow-shoes in ordinary circumstances. My being tired and the darkness of night, were against me, but what of that? it would only require me to brace34 myself to a severer task than usual!
I had not gone many miles, however, on the return journey, when a doubt occurred as to whether I was taking the right direction. In the confidence of my knowledge of the country I had carelessly left my old track, which was indeed rather a devious35 one, and had struck what I believed to be a straight line for the fort. It was by that time too late to retrace36 my steps and too dark to distinguish the features of the landscape. I stopped for a minute to think, and as I did so the profound oppressive silence of the night, the weird38 pallid39 aspect of the scarce visible snow, and the dark pines around me, which were only a shade or two darker than the black sky above, together with the ever-increasing cold, made such an impression on my mind that the prayer, “God help me!” burst almost involuntarily from my lips.
Feeling that delay surely meant death, I started off again with redoubled energy, and this impulse of determination, along with the exercise, increased my temperature somewhat, so that hope became strong again, and with it muscular energy.
Suddenly I came upon a snow-shoe track. I went down on my knees to examine it, but the light was insufficient40 to make it out clearly. What would I not have given for a match at that moment! However, as the size of the shoe-print seemed to my feeling the same with that of the shoe I wore, I concluded that it must certainly be my own track out from home—all the more that it ran almost parallel with the line I was following.
After a time the track led me to a slightly open space where the light was better. I thought that objects seemed familiar to me as I looked round. Advancing, I came on a spot where the snow was much trodden down. There was a bank of snow near. I went towards it while a terrible suspicion flashed into my mind. Yes, it was the very spot on which I had been sitting hours before, while I was making fruitless efforts to obtain a light from the flint of my gun! I had been doing that of which I had often read and heard, walking unwittingly in a circle, and had actually come back to the spot from which I set out.
What my feelings were on making this discovery it is scarcely possible to describe. My first act was to look up and exclaim as before, “God help me!” But there was nothing impulsive42 or involuntary in the prayer this time. I fully realised the extent of my danger, and, believing that the hour had come when nothing could save my life but the direct interposition of my Creator, I turned to Him with all the fervour of my heart.
At the same time I am bound to confess that my faith was very weak, and my soul felt that solemn alarm which probably the bravest feel at the approach of death, when that approach is sudden and very unexpected.
Nevertheless, I am thankful to say that my powers of judgment43 and of action did not forsake44 me. I knew that it would be folly45 to attempt to follow my track back again through the intricacies of the forest in so dark a night, especially now that the track was partly mingled24 and confused with that which I had made in joining it. I also knew that to give way to despair, and lie down without a fire or food, would be to seal my own doom46. Only one course remained, and that was to keep constantly moving until the return of day should enable me to distinguish surrounding objects more clearly.
I went to work therefore without delay, but before doing so once again solemnly and earnestly committed my soul and body to the care of God. And, truly, the circumstances of my case intensified47 that prayer. I felt as if I had never really prayed in earnest in my life before that night.
Then, laying aside my gun, blanket and cooking utensils48, so as to commence my task as light as possible, I went to the most open space of ground I could find, and there described a large circle with my snow-shoes on. This was the track on which I resolved to perform a feat37 of endurance. To walk all night without intermission, without rest, so as to keep up my animal heat was the effort on the success of which depended the issue of life or death.
I began with that vigour49 which is born of hopeful determination to succeed or die. But, as time wore on, the increasing weakness and exhaustion50 began to render me less capable of enduring the intense cold. Having my wallet on my back I took out some biscuit and pemmican and ate it as I walked. This revived me a good deal, nevertheless I restrained myself, feeling convinced that nothing but steady, quiet perseverance51 would carry me through. Soon thirst began to torment52 me, yet I did not dare to eat snow, as that would have merely injured the inside of my mouth, and frozen the skin of my lips. This feeling did not however last long. It was followed by a powerful sense of drowsiness53.
This I knew to be the fatal premonitory symptom, and strove against it with all my power. The better to resist it I began to talk aloud to myself.
“Come now, my boy, you mustn’t give way to that. It is death, you know. Hold up! Be a man! Act as Lumley would have acted in similar circumstances. Dear Lumley! How he would run to help me if he only knew!”
Suddenly the words, “In Me is thy help,” seemed to sound in my very ears. I stopped to listen, and was partly roused, but soon hurried on again.
“Yes, yes,” I exclaimed aloud, “I know the text well,” but the words had scarcely left my lips when I stumbled and fell. Owing to my sinking powers I had failed to keep the centre of the track; my right snow-shoe had caught on the edge of it and tumbled me into the soft snow.
How shall I describe the delicious feeling of profound rest that ensued when I found myself prone54 and motionless? Equally impossible is it to describe the agonising struggles that I made to induce my unwilling55 spirit to rouse my listless body. Those who have striven in semi-consciousness to throw off the awful lethargy of nightmare may have some conception of my feelings. I knew, even then, that it was the critical moment—the beginning of the end. In a burst of anxiety I began to pray—to shout with all my strength—for deliverance. The effort and the strange sound of my own voice roused me.
I staggered to my feet and was able to continue my walk. Being somewhat brighter than I had been before the tumble, I perceived that the circular track was by that time beaten hard enough to bear me up without snow-shoes, so I put them off and walked with much more ease.
From this point however my mind became so confused that I can give no reliable account of what followed. I was conscious at various periods during that dreadful night of becoming alive to several incidents and states of mind. I recollect56 falling more than once, as I had fallen before, and of experiencing, more than once, that painful struggle against what I may style mental and physical inertia57. I remember breaking out frequently into loud importunate58 prayer, and being impressed with a feeling of reviving energy at such times. Sometimes a text of Scripture59 seemed to flash before my eyes and disappear. On these occasions I made terrible efforts to grasp the text, and have an indistinct sensation of increased strength resulting from the mere30 efforts, but most of the texts faded as quickly as they came, with the exception of one—“God is our Hope.” Somehow I seemed to lay firm hold of that, and to feel conscious of holding it, even when sense was slipping away, but of the blanks between those conditions I know nothing. They may have been long or they may have been short—I cannot tell. All remains60 on my memory now like the unsubstantial fragments of a hideous61 dream.
The first thing after that which impressed itself on me with anything like the distinctness of reality was the sound of a crackling fire, accompanied with the sensation of warmth in my throat. Slowly opening my eyes I became aware of the fact that I was lying in front of a blazing fire, surrounded by Big Otter, Blondin, and Dougall, who stood gazing at me with anxious looks, while Henri Coppet knelt at my side, attempting to pour some warm tea down my throat.
“Dere now, monsieur,” said Coppet, who was rather fond of airing his English, especially when excited, “Yoos kom too ver queek. Ony drink. Ha! dere be noting like tea.”
“Wow! man, mind what yer aboot. Ye’ll scald him,” said Dougall, anxiously.
“You hole yoos tongue,” replied the carpenter contemptuously, “me knows w’at mees do. Don’ wants no Scoshmans for tell me. Voilà! Monsieur have swaller un peu!”
This was true. I had not only swallowed, but nearly choked with a tendency to laugh at the lugubrious62 expression of my friends’ faces.
“Where am I?” said I, on recovering a little, “What has happened?”
“Oo ay, Muster Maxby,” answered Dougall, with his wonted nasal drawl; “somethin’ hess happened, but it’s no sae pad as what might hev happened, whatever.”
As this did not tend to clear my mind much, and as I knew from experience that the worthy63 Celt refused to be hurried in his communications, I turned an inquiring look on Blondin, who at once said in French—
“Monsieur has been lost and nearly frozen, and Monsieur would surely have been quite frozen if James Dougall had not discovered that Monsieur had left his fire-bag at home, by mistake no doubt; we at once set out to search for Monsieur, and we found him with his head in the snow and his feet in the air. At first we thought that Monsieur was dead, but happily he was not, so we kindled64 a fire and rubbed Monsieur, and gave him hot tea, which has revived him. Voilà! Perhaps Monsieur will take a little more hot tea?”
While Blondin was speaking, the whole scene of the previous day and of the terrible night rushed in upon my brain like a flood, and I thanked God fervently65 for my deliverance, while I complied with the man’s suggestion and sipped66 some more tea.
It revived me much, but on attempting to rise I found myself so weak that I fell back helplessly with a deep sigh.
“Ye’ve no need to trouble yoursel’, Muster Maxby,” said Dougall, “we’ve brought the new dowg-sleigh for ’ee.”
Looking in the direction in which he pointed67, I observed not far-off the splendid new dog-sleigh which we had spent much time in making and painting that winter. Our fine team of four semi-wolf dogs, gay with embroidered68 harness as they lay curled up on the snow, were attached to it.
“I suspect I should have died but for your thoughtful care, Dougall,” I said, gratefully, as the good fellow assisted to place me in the vehicle and wrap the buffalo69 robes around me.
“Hoots! Muster Maxby,” was the remonstrative70 reply.
Big Otter placed himself in front of the cortège to beat the track. The dogs followed him with the sleigh-bells ringing merrily. Blondin took hold of the tail-line, and the others brought up the rear.
Thus comfortably, with a bright sun shining in the blue sky, I returned to Fort Wichikagan.
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1
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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expound
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| v.详述；解释；阐述 | |
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muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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copiously
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| adv.丰富地，充裕地 | |
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awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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otter
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| n.水獭 | |
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condescend
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| v.俯就，屈尊；堕落，丢丑 | |
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10
jabber
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| v.快而不清楚地说；n.吱吱喳喳 | |
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grouse
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| n.松鸡；v.牢骚，诉苦 | |
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grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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knoll
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| n.小山，小丘 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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upwards
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| adv.向上，在更高处...以上 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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plodded
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| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
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waning
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| adj.（月亮）渐亏的，逐渐减弱或变小的n.月亏v.衰落( wane的现在分词 )；（月）亏；变小；变暗淡 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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fatigued
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| adj. 疲乏的 | |
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descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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torpid
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| adj.麻痹的，麻木的，迟钝的 | |
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indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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brace
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| n. 支柱,曲柄,大括号; v. 绷紧,顶住,(为困难或坏事)做准备 | |
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devious
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| adj.不坦率的，狡猾的；迂回的，曲折的 | |
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retrace
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| v.折回；追溯，探源 | |
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feat
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| n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的 | |
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weird
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| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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pallid
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| adj.苍白的，呆板的 | |
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insufficient
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| adj.(for，of)不足的，不够的 | |
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lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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intensified
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| v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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50
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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51
perseverance
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| n.坚持不懈，不屈不挠 | |
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52
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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drowsiness
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| n.睡意；嗜睡 | |
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prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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55
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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56
recollect
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| v.回忆，想起，记起，忆起，记得 | |
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inertia
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| adj.惰性，惯性，懒惰，迟钝 | |
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importunate
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| adj.强求的；纠缠不休的 | |
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scripture
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| n.经文，圣书，手稿；Scripture:(常用复数)《圣经》，《圣经》中的一段 | |
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60
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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61
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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62
lugubrious
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| adj.悲哀的，忧郁的 | |
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63
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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64
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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65
fervently
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| adv.热烈地，热情地，强烈地 | |
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66
sipped
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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68
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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69
buffalo
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| n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛 | |
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70
remonstrative
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| adj.抗议的，忠告的 | |
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