ture. Each had taken the subject to himself,
and nursed and fostered it in his own way.

The time was approaching for their visit to Gagnon's store. This was the
reason of the dragging days. Both men were eager for the visit, and the
cause of their eagerness was not far to seek. They wished to see the
half-breed and feed their passion on fresh words of the lovely creature
who had so strangely possessed their imaginations.

They did not neglect the methodical routine of their duties. When night
closed in Nick saw to the dogs. The great huskies obeyed only one master
who fed them, who cared for them, who flogged them on the trail with
club and whip; and that was Nick. Ralph they knew not. He cooked. He was
the domestic of the abode, for he was of a slow nature which could deal
with the small details of such work. Nick was too large and heavy in his
mode of life to season a stew. But in the trapper's craft it is probable
that he was the better man.

The brothers' nights were passed in long, Indian-like silence which
ended in sleep. Tobacco scented the atmosphere of the hut with a
heaviness that was depressing. Each man sat upon his blankets
alternating between his pannikin of coffee and his pipe, with eyes
lowered in deep thought, or turned upon the glowing stove in earnest,
unseeing contemplation.

The night before the appointed day for starting came round. To-morrow
they would be swinging along over the snowy earth with their dogs
hauling their laden sled. The morrow would see them on their way to
Little Choyeuse Creek, on the bank of which stood Victor Gagnon's store.

There was an atmosphere of suppressed excitement in the doings of that
night. There was much to be done, and the unusual activity almost seemed
a bustle in so quiet an abode. Outside the door the sled stood piled
with the furs which represented their winter's catch. The dog harness
was spread out, and all was in readiness. Inside the hut the two men
were packing away the stuff they must leave behind. Although there was
no fear of their home being invaded it was their custom to take certain
precautions. In that hut were all their savings, to lose which would
mean to lose the fruits of their life's labours.

Nick had just moved a chest from the depths of the patchwork cupboard in
which they kept their food. It was a small receptacle hewn out of a
solid pine log. The lid was attached with heavy rawhide hinges, and was
secured by an iron hasp held by a