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CHAPTER VII. 



AN INDIAN MOTHER DEATH OF THE PAPOOSE BID ADIEU TO THE 



TRADERS VOLUNTEER GUIDE HIS HISTORY EXCITING ADVENTURE 



ENCOUNTER WITH THE GREY WOLF OF THE NORTH A TRAPPER*S 



COURTING DREADFUL TRAGEDY CONCLUSION OF THE OLD MAN*S 



STORY. 



THIS evening we reached an admirable camping- 

 ground, well supplied with small timber, the most 

 prominent among which was the soft maple and black 

 ash. The night, however, closed in dreary and in- 

 hospitable, the thermometer having fallen, accom- 

 panied by large, ominous drops of rain, which con- 

 tinued increasing till midnight, when such a deluge 

 descended that the camp fires were extinguished, and 

 even under the waggon covers not a dry spot could 

 be found. Having been so long accustomed to 

 exposure and hardship, this would not have prevented 

 my sleeping, but unfortunately the squaw's baby, 

 which had not been well, suddenly became worse. 

 The mother, alarmed, sought me out with the child 

 in her arms ; for although she did not constantly 

 remain tied to my skirts, she came to me for pro- 

 tection and assistance on every indication of trouble. 

 The little invalid, who was evidently suffering from 



