121 



CHAPTER VII. 



AN INDIAN MOTHER DEATH OF THE PAPOOSE BID ADIEU TO THE 



TRADERS VOLUNTEER GUIDE HIS HISTORY EXCITING ADVENTURE 



ENCOUNTER WITH THE GREY WOLF OF THE NORTH A TRAPPER'S 



COURTING DREADFUL TRAGEDY CONCLUSION OF THE OLD MAN'S 



STORY. 



THIS evening we reached an admirable camping- 

 ground, well supplied with small timber, the most 

 prominent among which was the soft maple and black 

 ash. The night, however, closed in dreary and in- 

 hospitable, the thermometer having fallen, accom- 

 panied by large, ominous drops of rain, which con- 

 tinued increasing till midnight, when such a deluge 

 descended that the camp fires were extinguished, and 

 even under the waggon covers not a dry spot could 

 be found. Having been so long accustomed to 

 exposure and hardship, this would not have prevented 

 my sleeping, but unfortunately the- squaw's baby, 

 which had not been well, suddenly became worse. 

 The mother, alarmed, sought me out with the child 

 in her arms ; for although she did not constantly 

 remain tied to my skirts, she came to me for pro- 

 tection and assistance on every indication of trouble. 

 The little invalid, who was evidently suffering from 



