CHAPTER XXI. 



JAKE FOLLOWED BY A BEAR AN AFFRAY JAKE COMES TO GAULTIER*S ASSIST- 

 ANCE HE RIDES THE BEAR OUT OF CAMP AND KILLS HIM PIERRE'S 

 ACCOUNT OF THE BROWN BEAR WOLVES AT THE CARCASS JAKE'S HATRED 

 OF WOLVES, AND ITS REASON HIS THRILLING STORY OF ESCAPE FROM A 

 PACK OF WOLVES THE ERMINE WEASEL THE PINE MARTEN A CANOE AND 

 TWO VOYAGEURS REACH VERMILION DUNVEGAN TAKE LEAVE OF OUR 

 TRAPPERS. 



ONE evening our hunters landed as usual to camp for 

 the night. The spot which they had chosen was at 

 the foot of a slight eminence which sloped back from 

 the river, and was covered with dwarf cedars. Plenty 

 of dry drift timber lay piled along the banks, and 

 afforded an unlimited supply of fuel. This circum- 

 stance formed their chief reason for selecting this par- 

 ticular spot. 



Jake left his young friends busied at the fire, and 

 shouldering Plumcentre directed his steps towards the 

 crest of the rising ground, saying that he " mout hev 

 a chance o' throwin' a lump o' lead into some var- 

 mint." 



He had not been absent for more than a few minutes 

 when the report of his rifle was heard ; and almost im- 

 mediately afterwards the old hunter appeared on the 



