40 THANKFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 



ject, they became very insolent, and finally left the fort 

 threatening vengeance. They learned at the fort, I 

 suppose, that I was returning from one of the posts 

 with my daughter, and they waylaid us as you saw." 



Meanwhile Pierre was doing the amiable with the 

 young lady, who thanked him with much warmth for 

 the great service he had rendered both her father and 

 herself. Pierre bashfully assured her that neither he 

 nor his companions were entitled to any gratitude, as 

 their intervention was solely the result of accident. 



Jake now approached and received the thanks of 

 Miss Frazer (for that was her name), with the man- 

 ner of one unused to speak to the other sex. His 

 awkwardness afforded much amusement to the two 

 youths, who, however, did not allow Jake to perceive 

 their merriment. 



"Wai, ma'am," said the old trapper, "'tain't much 

 of a sarvice to brag of, I guess. Them two skunks 

 meant mischief, sure ; but thur wa'n't much difficulty 

 in introjoocin' Plumcentre hyur" (tapping his rifle) "to 

 the varmints. Ef it had been a couple o' grizzlies 

 now, thur mout 'a been something to talk about. Old 

 Eph'm 's onkimmon tough that he ur ! and it'd been 

 pretty considerable o' a skrimmage afore they went 

 under that's a fact." 



As it was now near mid-day, the trappers resolved 

 to halt; and Gaultier was despatched for the canoe, 

 with which he soon returned. The whole party then 

 dined together, Pierre helping Miss Frazer to the dain- 



