lake. They had turned the head of
their little vessel westward--as it was their design to keep along the
western border of the lake until they should reach the mouth of the
Saskatchewan. They kept at a short distance from the shore, usually
steering from point to point, and in this way making their route as
direct as possible. It would have been still more direct had they
struck out into the open lake, and kept up its middle; but this would
have been a dangerous course to pursue. There are often high winds upon
Lake Winnipeg, that spring up suddenly; and at such times the waves, if
not mountains high, at least arrive at the height of houses. Among such
billows the little craft would have been in danger of being swamped, and
our voyageurs of going to the bottom. They, therefore, wisely resolved
not to risk such an accident, but to "hug the shore," though it made
their voyage longer. Each night they would land at some convenient
place, kindle their fire, cook their supper, and dry their canoe for the
next day's journey.

According to this arrangement, a little before sunset of the first day
they came to land and made their camp. The canoe was unloaded,
carefully lifted out of the water, and then set bottom upward to drip
and dry. A fire was kindled, some of the dry meat cooked, and all four
sat down and began to eat, as only hungry travellers can.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

WAPITI, WOLVES, AND WOLVERENE.

The spot where our voyageurs had landed was at the bottom of a small
bay. The country back from the lake was level and clear of timber.
Here and there, nearer the shore, however, its surface was prettily
interspersed with small clumps of willows, that formed little copse-like
thickets of deep green. Beside one of these thickets, within a hundred
yards of the beach, the fire had been kindled, on a spot of ground that
commanded a view of the plain for miles back.

"Look yonder!" cried Francois, who had finished eating, and risen to his
feet. "What are these, captain?" Francois pointed to some objects that
appeared at a great distance off upon the plain.

The "captain" rose up, placed his hand so as to shade his eyes from the
sun, and, after looking for a second or two in the direction indicated,
replied to the other's question by simply saying--

"Wapiti."

"I'm no wiser than before I asked the question," said Francois. "Pray,
enlighten me as to what a wapiti may be!"

"Why, red deer; or elk, if you l