r at the
end of the winter or after the frost had set in, were preserved in a
very easy though somewhat rough manner. We had a deep circular pit,
like a well, dug in the fort. The sides were lined with ice, and a
layer of ice was placed at the bottom. The carcass was then cut up, and
a layer of meat pressed tightly down on the ice; another layer of ice
was then thrown in and another layer of buffalo meat; and thus layer
after layer of ice and meat was placed in the pit till it was full. It
was then covered over with ice and boards and earth, so that we had
always an ample supply of fresh buffalo meat at our command, even during
the hottest time of the year.

Fish we preserved in the same manner. Of course, during the winter
there was no necessity for putting them into the pit. We had only to
let them freeze, and they remained hard frozen till the return of
spring.

We had lately obtained a good supply of both meat and fish, so that we
were well able to entertain our guests.

On speaking to Alick privately, I found that he was not very well
satisfied with the temper of some of the Indians in the neighbourhood
who had hitherto professed to be our friends; while reports had reached
him that the Blackfeet and other tribes of Sioux were threatening to
drive the pale-faces out of the country. He, of course, laughed at the
idea of their making the attempt.

"Though they might attack small parties of travellers," he said, "or
such forts as ours in advanced positions. However, if they do come, we
shall be able to defend ourselves, and teach them that they would have
been wiser to keep to their hunting-grounds. On the chance of their
coming I have made every preparation for defence, and they will not
capture Fort Black with as much ease as they may suppose."

CHAPTER FOUR.

HURRAH! PAT IS FOUND--SANDY MCTAVISH'S YARN--HIS DISCOVERY OF ROBIN
GREY--TOBOGGANING--THE DOG-TRAIN--OUR SORROW AT THE DEPARTURE OF ROSE
AND LETTY--WE START ON SNOW-SHOES--WOLVES OUT FORAGING--A RACE FOR
LIFE--THE FORT IN SIGHT--SAFE AT LAST--ROBIN'S STORY--HIS CAPTURE BY THE
INDIANS--WAMEGON--HIS POOR FEET--HIS IMPRISONMENT IN THE
LOG--"NETNOKWA," HIS INDIAN MOTHER--THE INDIAN DANCE--WAMEGON PERSECUTES
HIM--ROBIN'S NOVEL METHOD OF KILLING A DEER--WAMEGON PERSEVERES IN HIS
CRUELTY.

I had been two whole days at the fort, and no news had been received of
Sandy and his party, who had gone in search of poor Pat and me.

I was rapidly rec