food from one of these naps to another, in places near water, which
after long frost becomes exceedingly scarce; in the interior, the tracks
of the deer were as thick as of cattle in the snow in a well-stocked
farmyard. There were, beside, plenty of ptarmigan, which abounded on
these hills, searching for a species of cranberry, a food of which they
are very fond."

"Vension and grouse! dainty dishes, indeed, dear granny; after all, that
is not quite a land of barrenness."

"Nay, child! there is provision made in all places of our heavenly
Father's dominions for the supply of the necessities both of man and
beast. But I must hasten on, or you will be weary of my tale."

[Illustration]




CHAPTER III.


"In addition to the first guide, your grandfather now engaged one of the
Indians with whom they had passed the night, to accompany him. The three
cheerfully proceeded on their route, and for the first few days enjoyed
very brilliant weather, and made so much progress upon the hard snow,
that I believe they had nearly traversed a third of their destined route
across to St. George's Bay.

"But now they began to suffer severely from the state of their eyes