vessels of
any kind want up in Hudson Bay, if not to fish, or hunt whales, or
seals, or walrus? And why should they flit around like ghosts, as he
said? Chances are the old chap was using up his surplus stock of strong
drink, and saw things where they didn't exist."

"Well, anyway," Jimmy ventured, reflectively, "it's me that hopes we'll
run foul of this same queer disappearing fleet, because if we do it's a
pipe cinch we'll scrape all the mystery off the story. We always manage
that when we start into anything. It seems to be the scout way of doing
things."

"For my part," declared Frank, "I take little stock in that yarn of the
trapper. I imagine it's in a line with the big story of the mine
syndicate that wants to unload on Mr. Bosworth. This is the country for
whopping lies. Everything is on so big a scale up here, you know,
stories have to keep along with them."

"And moose are as big as houses," added Jimmy.

"How is it we don't see you busy with your fish lines to-night, Jimmy?"
asked Ned.

"Yes, it's been three mornings now since we had fresh fish for
breakfast, and as that job was handed over to you, we all want to know
what's gone wrong?" Jack added.

Jimmy shrugged his shoulders, and made a wry face.

"I've soured on me job, if that's what you want to know," he replied.
"I've pulled in so many fish since we started that me arm is sore with
the work. Besides, I've lost me taste for fresh fish. Them that feel an
itching for the diet c'n do the business. Here's me lines and hooks with
pleasure."

No one, however, seemed anxious to undertake the task on this particular
occasion. Truth to tell they were one and all pretty tired. It had been
an unusually arduous day, so that shoulders and legs ached more or less,
from packing all their possessions across country to the bank of the
river on which they now found themselves, and which Francois, yes, and
Tamasjo ditto, affirmed would carry them all the rest of the way to the
great inland sea known on the maps as Hudson Bay, in honor of the famous
explorer.

It felt good to lie there at their ease on blankets and enjoy the warmth
of the cheery campfire. There was more or less of a tang in the air most
of the time on account of being so far north; and this became more
evident when the sun had set, and the short night commenced, so that
the young explorers were glad to have tents and warm blankets along.

Once while they were talking Jack lifted his head and