The Home of the Wolverene and Beaver. 245 



shoes forward was straight and clearly defined. 

 Evidently the stranger was thoroughly habituated 

 to this mode of travelling. 



" Well, Pierre, if it is an Indian, what does it 

 matter } He won't attempt to harm us, will 

 he t " 



" JVou, monsieur, but some Indians just as bad as 

 the rascal eacajou. Perhaps he steal our blankets 

 and traps." 



This was a new idea to Paul, who shivered be- 

 neath his fur clothing at the thought of passing a 

 night exposed to the full severity of such weather. 



"En avant, inonsieiirl^ cried the Canadian, "we 

 shall soon find out ;" and seizing the cord attached 

 to the hand-sleigh, he set off camp-ward with such 

 speed that Paul, less experienced, was fairly 

 distanced. 



Pierre's joyous shout soon reached him, and 

 on arriving he found his companion already busy 

 at replenishing the fire, and getting ready for 

 supper. Everything was exactly as they had left 

 it in the morning, and no strange foot-prints in the 

 snow indicated that the stranger had even seen the 

 encampment. 



The evening meal was finished, the pipes lit, and 

 the two occupants of the camp had bestowed 

 themselves in lounging attitudes beside the ample 



