1 14 The Home of the W elver cue and Beaver. 



This sounded rather cold comfort to Paul, who 

 thought that he should hardly like to come across 

 their path on a dark night ; but he said nothing, and 

 when supper was finished and they were smoking 

 their pipes, he asked the Canadian to tell him a 

 story, the which request honest Pierre was nothing 

 loath to comply with. 



" All my own stories, I have already told. 13ut 

 mo n pi' re he tell me of a voyage he make to Oregon, 

 for the Americans. Suppose you like to hear that, 

 I shall tell it avec beanconp de plaisir." 



"What!" cried Paul, "was your father in Jacob 

 Astor's Company .'' " 



" Old, monsieur.'' 



" By Jove ! I have been hoping to meet some- 

 body who could tell me all about that unfortunate 

 affair for years. You must give me all the 

 particulars, Pierre, and we have plenty of time, for 

 we must have some moose venison ready cooked 

 for Mr. Groves if he returns. Besides, we couldn't 

 sleep with all those wolves baying at the moon, so 

 tell me the story from beginning to end." 



The good-natured giant filled up his pipe, lighted 

 it, threw a couple of fresh logs on the fire, and thus 

 commenced. I may add that he spoke in unmixed 

 French when telling a story to Paul, who under- 

 stood the language thoroughly. 



