MEETING OF THE WILD MEN 161 



way to get rid of a bad cold than to sleep out in the snow, 

 wrapped in a Hudson's Bay blanket, a caribou robe, or a rab- 

 bit-skin quilt, when the thermometer is about fifty below zero. 

 But rather than delay over a description in detail of the mere 

 novelty of winter travel, let us hurry along to our first destina- 

 tion, and visit the Free Trader Mr. Spear and his family, 

 and find out for our own satisfaction whether or not the 

 mysterious "Son-in-law" had recently been courting the 

 charming Athabasca. 



When we reached God's Lake, for a while we snowshoed 

 down the centre, until at the parting of our ways we said good- 

 bye, for the Indians were heading directly for Fort Consolation. 

 As I neared Spearhead and came in view of its one and only 

 house, the Free Trader's dogs set up a howl, and Mr. Spear 

 came out to greet me and lead me into the sitting room where 

 I was welcomed by his wife and daughter. Now I made a dis- 

 covery: quartered in a box in the hall behind the front door 

 they had three geese that being quite free to walk up and down 

 the hall, occasionally strolled about for exercise. As good 

 luck would have it, supper was nearly ready, and I had just 

 sufficient time to make use of the tin hand-basin in the kitchen 

 before the tea bell rang. Again, during the first half of the 

 meal we all chatted in a hvely strain, all save Athabasca, 

 who, though blushing less than usual, smiled a Httle more, 

 and murmured an occasional yes or no; all the while looking 

 even more charming. But her composure endured not long, 

 for her mother presently renewed the subject of "Son-in- 

 law": 



"Father, don't you think it would be a good idea if you took 

 son-in-law into partnership very soon?" 



"Yes, Mother, I do, because business is rapidly growing, 

 and I'll need help in the spring. Besides, it would give me a 

 chance to do my own fur-running in winter, and in that way I 

 believe I could double, if not treble, our income." 



