n the neighbourhood of the Rocky Mountains, where they might
obtain a variety of sport, so that they had no cause to complain of
their detention. My thoughts, as well as Dick's, were entirely occupied
by Charley, and we could take no interest in hunting. We, however, did
our duty in trying to supply the camp with game.

The chief part of our time was taken up in scouring the country in the
hopes of discovering our young friend, or ascertaining the cause of his
death.

At length the old trapper bade us farewell, saying that he should strike
away north, to a district where beavers abounded, for he could no longer
spend his time in comparative idleness. We were sorry to lose him, for
he was a capital companion, especially round the camp fire, when he
indulged us in his quaint way with his numberless adventures and
hair-breadth escapes, sufficient to make the hair of my old uncle, the
Alderman, stand out from his head.

Day after day went by. When we met Pierre and the Indians who had
assisted us in the search, the same reply alone was forthcoming.

"You see, it is hopeless," said Jack to Dick Buntin. "Your young friend
must have lost his life. I am very sorry, but we must be moving
westward. It won't do to detain Armitage longer. He is very
good-natured, but from what he said to me yesterday, he will be starting
away without us. He requires action. He is not happy, I suspect, from
something which took place between him and Ellen Hargrave, so that we
must decide what to do."

Dick pleaded hard for another day, still persisting in his belief that
we should find Charley. Our Indian friends had promised should they
discover any traces of him to send us word, but nothing had been heard
from them.

Dick and I had made a longer expedition than usual, and returned so
tired, that the next morning we were utterly unable to set out. A day's
rest would, however, we thought, restore our strength. Towards the
evening, while the remainder of the party were still away, Dick walked
to a shady spot some distance from the camp, taking a large buffalo robe
to lie upon, with a book, his pipe and gun.

One of the Indians who had remained with us, had meantime made up a
fire. I saw at length by my watch, that it was time to prepare for
supper, and as Dick still acted as cook, I sent the Indian to summon
him. The man had not gone long, when I heard him shout. Fearing that
something was the matter, I hurried forward, when w