aloes with their young
ones.

"Hist!" whispered Reuben, throwing forward the muzzle of his gun with
the instinct of a hunter.

"Don't fire," said Mackenzie, arresting his arm; "it may alarm the
natives, if any should chance to be within earshot. Send Wolf at them,
Ducette."

Wolf, who belonged to Ducette, and had followed his master, was a
splendid fellow,--not unlike the animal after which he had been named.
He was well trained too, and kept foot and tongue equally under command,
until his master's wishes were made known. Hearing his name mentioned,
he cocked his ears and gazed up in Ducette's face.

"Allons donc, Wolf," said Ducette.

Instantly the dog made a magnificent rush into the midst of the herd,
which scattered right and left, and seized a young calf by the nose!
The creature, though young, was powerful, and for some time struggled
bravely; but the hound held on with deadly firmness, and worried the
calf--to such an extent that in a short time Ducette was able to run in
and despatch it.

To skin and dismember the carcase was a matter of little difficulty to
these hunters, who were all expert butchers. They had just completed
the work, and were congratulating each other on this accession of veal
to the larder when a shot was heard in the direction of the canoe. It
was immediately followed by another.

"The signal to recall us," said Mackenzie. "Gather up the meat, lads;
come, be smart. Give them a couple of shots, Reuben, in reply."

The shots were fired, and, pushing down the hill through very close
underwood, they soon came upon the canoe at the foot of a rapid which it
was deemed impossible to ascend. What seemed impossible to some of his
men, however, was by no means impossible to Mackenzie himself. He
surveyed their position, saw that the succession of rapids above were
indeed impracticable on that side of the river, but observed that on the
other side it seemed possible to continue the ascent. The chief danger
lay in attempting to cross with a heavily-laden canoe; but the attempt
was made, and proved successful.

The dangers and mishaps which now assailed them in succession were
enough to have damped the ardour of the most resolute pioneer; but there
are some natures which cannot be quelled, whose motto in all
circumstances seem to be "Victory or death!" Of such a spirit was
Alexander Mackenzie, although some of his men would fain have turned
back. Indeed, the overcoming of their ob