68 UNEXPECTED VISIT. 



Experience has rather cruelly knocked on the head 

 such pre-conceived notions. 



I was just about to depart into the land of 

 dreams for my pipe had got so low, that extra 

 exertion of the lungs was necessary to keep it 

 burning ; and once I dropped that useful implement 

 from my lips, it was very unusual for me to remain 

 long awake when I heard my mule give indica- 

 tions of being alarmed. In a moment I was on my 

 feet, and as soon as I had got out from under my 

 shelter in the night air, a voice addressed me. It 

 was the squaw, who, for some purpose or other, had 

 come at that untimely hour to pay me a visit, which 

 courtesy required me to acknowledge with every ex- 

 pression of honour. The camp-fire, therefore, was again 

 raked together, and after I had invited her to squat 

 down beside me, I demanded the purport of what our 

 feminine readers might consider a highly improper in- 

 trusion. The poor widow had no reserve in telling me. 

 The simple truth was, fearing she would be lonely 

 when I was gone, and seeing that the season was 

 considerably advanced, there being every prospect of 

 fur-trading commencing earlier than usual, she had 

 made up her mind to go with me on the morrow. 

 To such a proposition I could not say No. Her 

 determination was asserted so frankly, without the 

 least embarrassment, that I could not for a moment 

 demur. I was indebted to her for many kindnesses, 

 and she was a woman who could live alone upon her 

 own resources ; who could handle a rifle or set beaver- 



