The snow soon ceased to fall, and the night came out fine and clear, though rather sharp.  I had a famous fire, and slept tolerably well, though awaking occasionally with the cold; when I would replenish the fire and turn my chilled side to the blaze, by which means I managed to pass the night as well as I could expect under the circumstances, considering, too, that I had eaten nothing from six o’clock the previous morning.

By day-break, I was on my march in the direction in which I supposed Guelph to lie.  The sun rose clear and bright, which enabled me to make a true course in half an hour; for I began to recognize ridges I had before traversed in former hunting excursions; and was soon confirmed in this opinion, by the firing of guns and blowing of horns in the direction I was going.  In a few minutes, I heard two men in conversation, one of whom was a native of Somersetshire, living close to me.  I stepped behind a large tree, directly in their path, when I heard my neighbour say to his companion—­“This is the way he generally takes; I will warrant we shall find he.”  At that instant, I fired my gun close to them, which made them start with surprise.  They then informed me that Mr. Galt had sent out all the workmen in search of me.  This I was well-aware of, from the continual volleys which rang in all directions.  We were soon out on the main-road leading to the bridge, where I found more than fifty of the inhabitants looking for me.

This birthday hunting excursion turned out anything but a frolic; for the result was, twenty-six hours’ starvation and the loss of a fine buck; besides my being hungry, weary, and stiff, from sleeping all night in the woods.  Moreover, in common gratitude, I was bound to treat my neighbours and the workmen sent to look for me, and the treat cost me five gallons of whiskey.  To add to this chapter of accidents, two of the party who turned out to hunt for me in the woods, lost themselves, and spent the night in as disagreeable a manner as I had myself done.

I would advise all new settlers to provide themselves with a pocket-compass, which can be procured for a few shillings.  This should be suspended round the neck by a ribbon, in the same manner as a watch—­ and I need not add that in the Bush it is of infinitely more use.

My employments in the Company’s service often obliged me to leave home and take long journeys—­fatiguing enough, indeed, they often were.  But youth is the season of enterprise, and always have accustomed myself to look upon the bright side of everything, leaving to the grumblers the reverse of the picture, upon which I fear they are only too fond of dwelling.  But I am sure a cheerful spirit is the best assistant in carrying a settler through every difficultly.

Early in the spring of 1829, I made a tour of the Newcastle district, selling land and receiving payments for the Company.  Whilst so employed, I received a letter from the superintendent, informing me of his resignation, and appointing me to meet him in Toronto with what money I had collected.