d
state of the Indians in the neighbourhood of the station, and was
unwilling to allow his daughter to remain longer there. He intended,
indeed, to try to persuade Mr and Mrs Crisp to quit the place, at all
events till the return of spring, when, even if they went there again,
they might at any time make their escape down the river, should they be
threatened with danger.

Martin, however, assured Mr Meredith that his parents would not on any
account be induced to quit their station; and that, though they were not
blind to the danger, they were resolved to await whatever events might
occur.

On hearing this, Mr Meredith, who was anxious as soon as possible to
return to Fort Ross, determined not to go farther, but said that he
would spend two days with us to recruit his men and dogs, and then go
back to his own fort.

We were very sorry to part with Rose and Letty, though it was, of
course, but right that they should be under the care of Mr Meredith. I
was afraid that I should also lose Martin; but he had been so happy with
us that he begged hard to be allowed to remain on, and Mr Meredith
consented to let him spend the rest of the winter with us. Alick could
give him some work to do, while at Fort Ross there were already as many
clerks as could find employment.

We were afraid also, that Robin would be taken away; but Alick, having
discovered that his great wish was to be sent to the eastward, where he
affirmed that he had friends living, it was determined to allow him to
remain at Fort Black, as any travellers who might be coming from across
the Rocky Mountains were more likely to visit us than they were Fort
Ross, which was out of the road. It was settled that, should no one
appear, Robin should be sent by water when the navigation was again
opened in spring.

Robin himself would gladly have accompanied Rose and Letty; but when he
understood the object of our keeping him, he seemed perfectly reconciled
to the arrangement.

All matters having been settled, our friends prepared to set out. There
were three sleighs drawn by dogs. Mr Meredith took charge of his
daughter Letty, and Rose was driven by Mr Macmillan, the eldest of the
two clerks, of whom I suspect Alick felt rather jealous.

The third sleigh carried a small bell-tent, intended for the use of the
young ladies, as they would have to encamp several nights on the
journey. The rest of the men were to travel on snow-shoes by the side
of the sleighs,