A DANGEROUS TRIO. 51 



the edges of my flints, renewed the primings, and 

 returning to the hut, gave a favourable account of 

 my observations. I took a few bear-skins, made a 

 pallet of them, and calling my faithful dog to rny 

 side, lay down, with my gun close to my body, and 

 in a few minutes was to all appearance fast 

 asleep. 



"A short time had elapsed when some voices were 

 heard, and from the corner of my eyes I saw two 

 athletic youths making their entrance, bearing a 

 dead stag on a pole. They disposed of their bur- 

 den, and asking for whisky, helped themselves 

 freely to it. Observing me and the wounded In- 

 dian, they asked who I was, and why that rascal 

 (meaning the Indian, who, they knew, understood 

 not a word of English) was in the house. The 

 mother for so she proved to be bade them speak 

 less loudly, made mention of my watch, and took 

 them to a corner, where a conversation took place. 

 The last words reached me " That will soon settle 

 him ! Boys, kill you ; and then for the watch." 



" I turned, cocked my gun-locks silently, and 

 tapped gently my faithful dog, who moved his tail 

 and fixed his eyes alternately on me and on the 

 trio in the corner. I lay ready to start up and 

 shoot the first who might' attempt my life. The 

 moment was fast approaching, and that night might 

 have been my last in this world, had not Providence 



C352) 4 



