was a capital night for a good story. The rain was pattering against
the window panes, while the winds, fierce and wild, were howling around
the buildings, making it vastly more pleasant to be inside than out,
even on a first-class hunting excursion.

As Sam's request was re-echoed by all, Mr Ross cheerfully consented,
and so, when they had gathered around him and taken their favourite
places, he began:

"My father was in the service of the Hudson Bay Company for many years.
He began as a junior clerk and worked his way up until he became a chief
factor, which is the highest position next to that of the governor.
During his long career in the service he was moved about a good deal
from one post to another. The result was, he became acquainted with
various parts of the country and with different tribes of Indians.

"Many years ago, when he had been promoted to the charge of a fairly
good port, the incident I am about to tell you took place. As master in
charge my father was, of course, as all Hudson Bay Company's officers
are, very anxious to make large returns of fur each year. The dividends
were greatest when the sales were largest.

"Father had perhaps a hundred hunters at his port, who all were more or
less skillful and successful in this fur hunting.

"There was one old Indian whom we will call Apetak, who was, by all
odds, the most skillful hunter father had. Not only was he successful
in bringing the greatest quantity of furs to the port, but he was most
fortunate in being able to capture more of the valuable black and silver
foxes and other of the richest fur-bearing animals. His great success
as a hunter thus made him very much of a favourite with my father. But,
in addition, he had many very excellent qualities which made him
respected and trusted by all, both whites and Indians.

"One winter, however, he nearly lost his life. Shortly after the ice
had formed on one of the great lakes in his hunting grounds he shot at
and wounded a great moose. The animal, mad with the pain of the wound,
dashed out of the forest and made for the lake, on which was but a
covering of thin ice. He was only able to run on it a few yards ere it
broke under him and let him through into the water. Apetak did not like
to lose the animal, as there was good meat enough on him to keep his pot
boiling for weeks; so he made a noose in a lasso and tried to get near
enough to throw it over the moose's head, and thus to burden