To the hotel in Winnipeg came Thompson and 

 Monroe, and within half an hour they had me 

 stuffed so full of sporting possibilities that I scarce 

 could get on my sweater. To avoid useless details, 

 I'll merely say that within twelve hours we had 

 reached an insignificant station from which we were 

 to drive to the rough shooting-lodge which stands 

 alone beside the big bay which marks the southern 

 end of Lake Manitoba. 



" Here we are ! Change cars for Clandeboy, Teal- 

 town, Bluehillburg, Redheadhurst, and all web- 

 footed points ! Passengers going east will walk, I 

 reckon ! " shouted Thompson. So far as I could 

 see, the alleged station consisted mainly of primeval 

 peace, poplar, and future possibilities ; but there were 

 small railway buildings, also a modest combination 

 of general store and hotel, which presently proved 

 no bad place. 



" Looks a bit rough, but it's all right, eh ? " 

 chuckled Thompson. " Can't imagine what's gone 

 wrong with Batteese never knew him to be late. 

 I'll have to no, I won't either, for yonder he 

 comes ! " he concluded, and we saw far away a team 

 emerging from the brush. Then a second team 



233 



