ARRIVAL AT FORT VERMILION. 327 



it will seize the animal by the nose, and hold on with 

 such tenacity as frequently to drive the assailant from 

 the field. In some instances the marten has been 

 domesticated ; but it rarely or never becomes docile. 



" I think now," said Pierre, " that is all of importance 

 which there is to tell concerning this animal." 



While Pierre had been communicating these particu- 

 lars, his comrades had been busy with frying-pan and 

 kettle, and had prepared the evening meal. 



They were about to partake of this when they 

 observed a canoe approaching them paddled by two 

 men, whom they soon recognized as belonging to Fort 

 Pierre. 



They soon brought the canoe to the bank, and joined 

 the trappers at their supper. They brought the sad 

 intelligence of Mr. Frazer's death. He had been utterly 

 cast down by the terrible event which deprived him of 

 his daughter, and had been wasting away day by day, 

 until he finally died two days before these voyageurs 

 had left the fort. 



On the following morning the hunters and their new 

 allies left camp together and set out for Fort -Vermilion. 

 The miles flew swiftly by, and just as evening descended 

 on the river the canoes rounded a bend, and the stock- 

 ades of the fort became visible at a little distance. In 

 a few minutes their long and toilsome journey was 

 over, and surrounded by a crowd of voyageurs and 

 half-breeds they vanished through the gateway of the 

 fort. 



