t through the gloom the ship at anchor,
and soon after, the boat close to the beach.

Old Growles answered Mr McDonald's hail. I observed that my companions
had examined their pistols and reloaded their rifles, so that they would
be on their guard should any treachery be attempted.

On arriving on board, the captain received the gentlemen in a somewhat
surly way, and inquired why Mr Fraser had not returned.

Mr McDonald replied, that we had waited for him, and that he had not
appeared; but they expected that he would turn up on the beach on the
following morning; if not, they proposed going in search of him.

"There won't be time for that," said Captain Longfleet. "We have got
all the water we require on board to-night. If passengers choose to go
on shore and not return at the time they are told to do, they must take
the consequences."

Mr McDonald's Highland blood was up in a moment. "You have made a
great mistake if you suppose that we will allow our friend to be
deserted. We intend to go on shore to-morrow, and must beg to take two
or three of your men with us, to ascertain what has become of Fraser and
his young companion," he exclaimed.

"We shall see who commands this ship," cried the captain, turning on his
heel and entering the cabin, outside of which this scene took place.

This was nuts to the crew, who must have perceived that if there was
division aft they had a good chance of succeeding in their project.

Next morning, at daybreak, the hands were turned up to get the ship
under weigh. Directly after, Mr McDonald and the other gentlemen came
on deck. "We protest against this proceeding, Captain Longfleet," he
exclaimed.

"I told you that if Mr Fraser chooses to absent himself at the time I
was prepared to sail, he must take the consequences. It may delay us a
whole day if we send to search for him," answered the captain.

"If it delays us a week we must look for him till he's found," exclaimed
Mr McDonald, drawing a pistol. "Get the ship under weigh at your
peril."

Bold as Captain Longfleet was, he quailed under the eye of the
determined fur trader.

"Hurrah! There's our friend," cried Mr McTavish. "We must send a boat
for him, and that will settle this dispute, I hope."

"A boat shall not leave the ship," cried Captain Longfleet. "I can't
spare the men."

"I say again, get the ship under weigh at your peril," said Mr
McDonald, stepping a pace towards the captain.

None of the