with which they could very easily keep up. They were
all well armed, for though Indians were not likely to be moving about at
that season of the year, it was still possible that, should they have
heard of Mr Meredith's journey, they might make an attempt to cut him
off; at all events, it was wise to be on the safe side.

We were very sorry indeed to part with them, but we kept up our spirits;
and as they issued early one morning from the gate of the fort, we all
sallied forth, cheering them on their way. We little thought at the
time what events were to occur before we should again meet.

Martin and I accompanied them for some distance on our snow-shoes.

"Now, lads, you have gone far enough," said Mr Meredith. "It is not
wise to make too long a journey at the commencement of winter, before
your ankles are well accustomed to the straps of your snow-shoes. You
will be getting the racquettes, and may knock up before you reach the
fort."

We were compelled to obey him, and wish him and our fair young friends
good-bye. We stood watching them till the sleighs appeared like so many
black ants in the far distance, while we could not even distinguish the
men who ran by their sides.

"Come," said Martin, "we must put our best feet foremost, and get back
as soon as we can. There's no chance of losing the trail so long as we
have daylight."

It is extraordinary at what speed a person wearing snow-shoes can run
over the hard snow. A snow-shoe consists of an elongated oblong
framework of wood, with cross-pieces; the interior filled up with a
strong network, on which the foot rests, with a hole for the play of the
heel. This is secured to the feet and ankles by leathern thongs. It
necessitates keeping the feet somewhat wide apart, to prevent the shoes
being entangled with each other.

A person not accustomed to their use is very apt to topple down and find
some difficulty in getting up again. Martin and I, however, had had
plenty of practice during the two previous winters, though we had not
gone very far on our return before we felt our ankles pain us
considerably. We stopped to rest, but could not venture to remain long,
as the cold was already intense; and expecting to be constantly in
exercise, we had not put on our warmest clothing. A short rest,
however, greatly restored us, and we had made good half the distance
back to the fort when Martin, who happened to look round to the
southward, exclaimed that he sa