king his jaws. Martin examined his mouth and sides.

"Depend upon it he has had a good tuck-out, the rogue, and feels in a
happy humour," observed Martin. "They have killed a deer, and we shall
see them here before long."

Martin was right, for in a few minutes Alick and Robin came trudging up
to the camp, heavily-laden with venison.

"We have brought you something to eat, boys," said Alick. "Thanks to
Bouncer's guidance, we followed up one of the deer till we shot him, but
we have had a heavy tramp back. We should have brought the deerskin,
but the meat was of more consequence, and we must go back and get it
to-morrow morning. Hillo! you seem to have got something!"

"I think we have," I answered, exhibiting our pile of venison.

We then described how we had shot the deer; still, as the deerskin would
prove of value for many purposes, we settled to go for it at daylight.

We had now an abundance of venison, in addition to some of the dried
bear's flesh which still remained. Though the Indians often suffer from
hunger in this region, so teeming with animal life, it is entirely in
consequence of their own want of forethought, as most of them when they
obtain food feast on it till it is gone, and few are wise enough to lay
up a store for the future. Thousands of buffalo are slaughtered on the
prairies, and their carcasses allowed to rot, which, if distributed
among the people, would supply every native in the country with an
abundance of wholesome food.

We had never been without provisions, though sometimes we had run rather
short. We had, therefore, no fear for the future.

Next morning, Alick and Robin having obtained the skin of the deer they
had shot, we proceeded on our voyage. We at first made good way, aided
by the current; but as the day advanced, a strong wind arose which
created a considerable amount of sea in the river. Our canoe being more
deeply laden than usual, with the venison we had on board, the water
began to wash over the bows.

We had set Robin to work to bail it out; still there appeared to be no
actual danger, and we continued our course. As we went on, however, the
wind increased, and meeting the current, which here ran stronger than in
other places, the canoe was half filled by a foaming wave into which she
plunged.

Robin bailed away with all his might.

"This will never do," cried Alick. "If we meet another wave like that
the canoe will be swamped. We must make for the