Page:Edgar Huntly, or The Sleep Walker.djvu/206

 lopped from the trees with my hatchet, might somewhat contribute to my comfort.

This was done; and thrusting myself into this recess as far as I was able, I prepared for repose. It might have been reasonably suspected to be the den of rattlesnakes or panthers; but my late contention with superior dangers and more formidable enemies, made me reckless of these: still another inconvenience remained: in spite of my precautions, my motionless posture and slender covering exposed me so much to the cold that I could not sleep.

The air appeared to have suddenly assumed the temperature of mid-winter: in a short time my extremities were benumbed, and my limbs shivered and ached as if I had been seized by an ague; my bed likewise was dank and uneven, and the posture I was obliged to assume unnatural and painful: it was evident that my purpose could not be answered by remaining here.

I therefore crept forth, and began to reflect upon the possibility of continuing my journey: motion was the only thing that could keep me from freezing, and my frame was in that state which allowed me to take no repose in the absence of warmth, since warmth was indispensable. It now occurred to me to ask whether it were not possible to kindle a fire.

Sticks and leaves were at hand; my hatchet and a pebble would enable me to extract a spark; from this, by suitable care and perseverance, I might finally procure sufficient fire to give me comfort and ease, and even enable me to sleep. This boon was delicious, and I felt as if I were unable to support a longer deprivation of it.

I proceeded to execute this scheme. I took the driest leaves, and endeavoured to use them as tinder, but the driest leaves were moistened by the dews: they were only to be found in the hollows, in some of which were pools of water, and others were dank. I was not speedily discouraged; but my repeated attempts failed, and 1 was finally compelled to relinquish this expedient.

All that now remained, was to wander forth, and keep myself in motion till the morning. The night was likely to prove tempestuous and long; the gale seemed freighted