s the island has
been visited by some trapper, who would naturally carry off the most
valuable parts of the bear."

"Ah! but look here: if the island has been visited by a trapper, he came
with a vehicle on runners from the direction of your clearing, and
returned to the same place. There are the marks clear enough still; an
Indian would have told us exactly how things occurred."

"I wish that we had had one," said Philip, in whom fatigue had produced
low spirits. "The visitor, whoever he was, not finding them, may have
carried off the bear's flesh and returned without them."

"I think that I can convince you that my conjectures are correct," said
Mr Norman, after looking about for some time longer. "You killed the
bear with long stakes: I can find none; they would naturally have
carried them off as trophies. They had skates; none are to be seen, the
foot-prints are those of shoes."

"How came the hole?" asked Philip.

"They made it themselves to fish through. See here are some scales
which Tom Smith has just brought me, and which his sharp eye detected
near the hole: the fish was evidently thrown down there on being
unhooked. Come, I doubt if any Indian would read marks more clearly
than I have done, though probably he would explain matters in a far more
pompous style. The fact is, my experience of bush-life and Indian life
has been very considerable, as you will understand if you like some day
to listen to some of my adventures. But there is nothing to keep us
longer here."

Philip was happier, but not thoroughly satisfied. The party set out on
their return.

"This ice would not have borne us many hours hence; be ready for a leap
into the canoe," said Mr Norman. They reached the settlement, however,
in safety. The inhabitants were divided in opinion as to whether the
young Ashtons were lost or not; Philip was eager to reach home to settle
the point. Mr Norman had sent for wheels for his vehicle, as the snow
had melted too much to allow of runners. It was soon mounted, and away
they rattled, bumped and thumped, Mr Norman singing--

"`You and I, Billy, have often heard how folks are ruined and undone,
By overturns in carriages, by fires and thieves in London.'

"You see, my young friend, we must look out for haps and mishaps in the
country as well as in town, on shore as well as at sea. Ignorant of
religion as seamen are, they have a right feeling of a superintending
Providence, which makes