quested, that in the event of what they
thought possible proving to be the case, they wrap the body in the
blankets they would find in the tent, and build for it a stage high
enough from the ground to protect it from animals. I also asked that
they bring back with them all the things they should find in the tent,
including the rifle and camera, and especially the books and papers of
all descriptions.

Promising that all should be done as I wished, and again cautioning me
against eating too much, Allen and Donald departed, leaving me a prey
to anxiety and fear as to the news they should bring back.

XX. HOW HUBBARD WENT TO SLEEP

A pot of hot tea soon was ready, and I drank some of it.

"I hopes you feels better, sir," then spoke young Duncan MacLean. "A
smoke'll taste good now. Got a pipe, sir?"

I produced my pipe, and he held out to me a plug of tobacco.

"Take he an' fill th' pipe, sir."

With the plug in my possession, I drew my sheath-knife to cut it. But
Gilbert Blake objected.

"He's a big un, sir, to cut tobacca with. Let me fill he, sir."

Obediently I handed him my pipe to be filled, and when it had been
returned to me one of the boys struck a match and held it to the bowl
while I puffed. Then Duncan took the plug from the log where Gilbert
had left it, and, holding it out to me, said:

"He's yours, sir; I brought he for you. An'," added Duncan
impressively, "there's more when he's gone, sir."

The tea and the great leaping blaze warmed me, the tobacco stimulated
me, and my tongue was loosed. I talked and I talked. It was good to
have human society and human sympathy again. The boys told me how
George had finally reached them after his struggles, and what news of
the world they had heard. After a little they gave me a bit more
bread, and told me I had better sleep while they built a break to keep
the wind, which had shifted to the west, from my couch. And, while
watching them fell trees for the wind-break and vaguely wondering
whether I should ever be strong and able to move about like that again,
I did go to sleep.

When, after an hour had passed, I awoke, the boys made me drink more
tea and eat another piece of bread. Then Duncan took his rifle, and
remarking, "The 's deer signs right handy, an' a bit o' deer's meat
might do you good, sir," strode off into the bush. Late in the
afternoon he returned without having been rewarded in his hunt, and
took a seat with Gilbert near my