a good fire and a
supper of one-third of the larger fish, a dish of stewed sour
cranberries and plenty of hot tea.

"I feel more satisfied every time I think of our decision to turn
back," said Hubbard, as, with supper eaten, we reclined comfortably
before the fire. "I had a pretty hard night of it though, on Monday;
for I hated to turn back without seeing the Indians."

"I was awake thinkin' about it, too," said George. "I told you about
havin' cold feet, and that they kept me awake." He paused, and we felt
that something was coming. At length out it came: "Well, they did, but
that wind out in the lake kept me awake more than the cold feet. I
knew that wind was makin' the huntin' good down the bay, the game was
comin' down there now, and the young fellus I used to hunt with had
been wishin' for this very wind that was keepin' us here, and they were
glad to see it, and were out shootin' waveys [a species of wild goose];
and here we boys was, up against it for sure."

Hubbard and I had to laugh at George's confession, and we joked him a
little about being homesick.

"Well," said Hubbard, "we'll soon get away now; this wind must let up
some time. Talking about the bay reminds me that I want to arrange for
a trip to Hudson's Bay next summer. I want a nice, easy trip that I
can take Mrs. Hubbard on. I'd like to go up early and return in the
fall, and maybe get some wavey shooting. Could you get one or two good
men besides yourself to go with us, George?"

George said he thought he could, and after Hubbard had invited me to
make one of the party, they went into minute details as to the food
they would take with them, planning an elaborate culinary outfit.

Just before George went to bed, Hubbard and I, using the trees that
stood close to the fire for a support, stretched a tarpaulin over our
heads, to shelter us from the rain and sleet. Beyond the circle of our
bright-blazing fire the darkness was profound. As the wind in great
blasts swept over the tops of the trees, its voice was raised to
piercing shrieks that gradually died away into low moans. We thought
of the vast wilderness lying all about us under the pall of a moonless
and starless night. Where had all the people in the world gone to,
anyway?

But, sitting there on our couch of boughs beneath the tarpaulin, in the
grateful warmth of the high-leaping flames, we found it very cosey.
And we talked of the places and persons that were somewhere beyo