214 THE NORTH-WEST PASSAGE BY LAND. 



Assiniboine reached the camp without further molesta- 

 tion. The man probably owed his life to his courageous 

 bearing, and the circumstance that his gun missed fire, 

 for had he wounded one of them, all three would cer- 

 tainly have attacked and, undoubtedly, killed him. 



Whilst The Assiniboine was relating his exciting 

 adventure, Mr. O'B. lay rolled in his blanket, quite 

 unconscious that anything unusual had occurred, not 

 understanding a word of the mixed patois of Cree and 

 French in which the Assiniboine spoke. Milton 

 therefore said in English, " Mr. O'B., The Assiniboine 

 has been attacked by three grisly bears, close to camp." 

 At the word dears he sat bolt upright, his countenance 

 betraying the greatest anxiety, and eagerly asked if it 

 was really true, and how it happened. We told him 

 the story, and as he listened his jaw fell ruefully, and 

 his face assumed an agonised expression. "Doctor," said 

 he, when we had finished, " we are in a very serious 

 position — in very great danger. This is a most terrible 

 journey ; will you do me a great favour, and lend me 

 your revolver? for I am resolved to sell my life dearly, 

 and how can I defend myself if the bears attack us 

 in the night ? I'm an unarmed man." 



"Oh, certainly," replied Cheadle, producing the 

 pistol, and playfully working the hammer up and 

 down with his thumb ; " with the greatest pleasure ; 

 here it is : oh, yes, if you like : perhaps, under the 

 circumstances, you had better take it ; but I ought to 

 tell you that you must be extremely careful with 

 it, for it is in the habit of going off of its own accord." 



Mr. O'B. hastily drew back his hand stretched out 

 to take the pistol, considered — hesitated — and at last 



