Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Jenkins, Okematan, and Archie had been out with their guns that day the last having been promoted to the use of the dangerous weapon and in their wanderings had about nightfall come upon a family of half-breeds named Dobelle, a good-natured set, who lived, like La Certe, on the laissez faire principle; who dwelt in a little log-hut of their own construction within the margin of the forest, not far from the shore of the great lake.
Healthy, happy, and heedless, the Dobelle family cared for nothing apparently, but the comfort of the passing hour; regarded the past as a convenient magazine from which to draw subjects for gossip and amusement, and left the future to look after itself.
"No fear of it," said old Dobelle; "the ropes are strong." Thus assured, the visitors continued their meal with equanimity, regardless of the storm that soon began to rage with great fury, insomuch that the door required a prop to keep it up and rain began to trickle in through crevices in the roof and drop here and there upon the party.
When the time for repose arrived, Madame Dobelle and her eldest girl retired to a box-bed in a corner of the hut which was screened off not very effectually by a curtain of birch-bark. The two brothers lay down in another corner.
At the same time Madame Dobelle made a shakedown of pine-branches in another corner for her visitors, for it was obvious that they would have to spend the night there, even although their own tent was not far-distant. By that time the storm was raging with unwonted violence. Nevertheless the Dobelle family smoked on in placid contentment.
The three visitors disposed themselves in the third, and, as the fourth was monopolised by the rain-rivulet, old Dobelle lay down on one side of the fire in the centre of the room, while the four-year-old girl reposed on the other.
"Yes twice, and both times it was night," answered Madame Dobelle, "and we were flooded out and had to camp under the trees." "Which was not comfortable," added the old man. Another clap of thunder seemed to corroborate what he said, and a blast of wind followed, which caused the whole fabric of the hut to shudder. Jenkins looked inquiringly at the roof.
The weather seemed to be in a lively mood that night, for as the thunder had promptly answered to Okematan's observation, so now the wind replied to Archie's remark, by rushing up the natural avenue which extended from the hut to the lake and almost bursting in the door. "See to the ropes, boys," said old Dobelle, glancing uneasily at the roof.
"But it won't last long," said the eldest son, who seemed to be the only growler in the family. "N'importe we will enjoy it while it lasts," said the younger son. "Yes, truly we will," remarked Madame Dobelle. Whereupon the daughter of eighteen smiled, and the daughter of four giggled. "What does Okematan think?" asked the host.
With kind hospitality Madame Dobelle poured some black tea into cups of birch-bark, and, on plates of the same material, spread before them the remains of a feast of roasted fish. While eating this, various questions were put as to the success of the fishery. "Yes we have been very successful," said old Dobelle. "No bad weather to speak of, and plenty of fish. Our good fortune is great."
Word Of The Day