A collection of Indian wigwams stood upon the opposite bank, and, as the trail led directly to the water, it was fair to infer that the stream was fordable.

We had no opportunity of testing it, however, for the banks were so lined with ice, which was piled up tier upon tier by the breaking-up of the previous week, that we tried in vain to find a path by which we could descend the bank to the water.
The men shouted again and again, in hopes some straggling inhabitant of the village might be at hand with his canoe.

No answer was returned, save by the echoes.

What was to be done?
I looked at my husband and saw that care was on his brow, although he still continued to speak cheerfully.

"We will follow this cross-trail down the bank of the river," said he.