the stream.

I was becoming almost faint with hunger when, to my great satisfaction,
I recognised several spots along the banks I was passing, and I knew
that I was not more than a couple of miles above the mouth of the
stream. As the current was pretty strong, the distance was soon
accomplished, and I found myself in the Saskatchewan, which even thus
far, in the very heart of America, and only ten days' journey or so from
the base of the Rocky Mountains, is a river of considerable width. Had
I not known that there was a hearty welcome and abundance of food at the
end of my journey, I could not have borne the hunger I was enduring, but
hope cheered me on.

At length my eyes were gladdened by the sight of the flag waving above
the fort, and I could see the palisades which extended to the edge of
the bank above the river.

I renewed my efforts, and Bouncer set up a bark of delight to announce
my coming, feeling, I have no doubt, very proud in the belief that he
had brought me back. So he had; and he would, I am sure, had I not
found the canoe, have led me overland, but his instinct had told him
that the most speedy way of reaching the fort would be by water.

Not till I was close to the bank was I discovered, when my brother
Alick, followed closely by several other persons, hurried out of the
gate to welcome me.

"Why, David, you appear as one from the dead," he exclaimed, wringing my
hand. "We had almost given you up as lost. We have sent out party
after party to look for you, and Bouncer alone has the honour of
bringing you back. Martin and Rose and Letty have been as unhappy as I
have felt. They are all eager to know what has happened to you."

"I cannot tell you until I have had something to eat," I answered.

Just then looking up I saw the friends he mentioned, who I had no idea
were at the fort. They all warmly shook hands, but forbore to put any
further questions, for they saw how weak I was; indeed, had not Alick
and Martin assisted me, short as was the distance, I could not have
reached the fort.

We were soon inside, and Rose and Letty hurried to the kitchen, to get
some buffalo steaks and white-fish, which were fortunately cooking for
supper.

A good meal greatly restored me. My first inquiries were for Sandy and
Pierre, whom I had not seen. I was greatly relieved to hear that they
had found their way to the fort two days after the snowstorm, with all
the baggage animals and my horse, and h