ther, and at other times it was necessary to halt
while my companion went in search of game, and to obtain provisions.
Ultimately, after many adventures, when he often exposed his own life to
preserve mine, we reached the fort in safety.

"Such was the commencement of my acquaintance with Michael Moggs, the
old trapper. We have met occasionally since, but he has always refused
to receive any recompense for the service he rendered me, declaring that
he was deserving of none, as he would have done the same for any other
white man who might have needed his assistance. I have vainly
endeavoured to induce him to remain in the fort, or to take service with
the company; but he invariably replies that he prefers the life of a
free trapper, and that he will not bind himself to serve any master."

"I wish we could induce him to stop with us, both for his own sake, and
for that of his young son," observed Mrs Ramsay. "He is an intelligent
youth, with a mind capable of cultivation. It is sad to see him so
utterly ignorant of religious truth; and I fear that his strength will
give way if he continues the hard life he has shared with his eccentric
father. I cannot but think that the old man is greatly to blame for
bringing him up as he has done."

"We must hope for the best," said Mr Ramsay.

"We have no right to hope unless we pray and strive, dear husband," said
Mrs Ramsay. "God will hear our prayers, both for father and son.
After the account you have just given me, I feel that we are doubly
bound to pray for them. How greatly ought we to value that glorious
privilege of prayer, which allows us sinful creatures, trusting to the
all-cleansing blood of Jesus, to go boldly to the throne of grace,
knowing that our petitions will be heard and granted by the all-pure,
all-seeing, and all-just God, who does not look upon us as we are in
ourselves, but as clothed with the righteousness of Christ. Let us pray
this night that the dark mind of our poor friend may be enlightened, and
that the Holy Spirit may bring home the truths of the gospel to that of
his young son."

"You are right; you are right, wife," said Mr Ramsay, taking her hand.
"I have hitherto thought only how I could benefit his temporal
condition. It did not occur to me how much more important it was to
seek the good of his soul."

Little did the old hunter think, as he was wandering across the snowy
waste, that the hearts of friends were lifted up for him in pr