Warm winds followed the rain and the melting snow turned great portions of the forest into lakes.

The trees stood in water a yard deep, and the aspect of the wilderness was gloomy and desolate.

Even the most resolute of the hunters let the game alone at such a time.

Often the warm winds would cease to blow when night came and then the great lagoons would be covered with a thin skim of ice which melted again the next day under the winds and the sun.

All this brought chills and fever to Wareville and bitter herbs were sought for their cure.