will give new life."

"Then have my father and mother escaped?" exclaimed Martin, and he burst
into tears.

"Yes," answered Mr Meredith, "I am thankful to say that they have, and
are now returning with us to Fort Ross, on their way to their former
station."

I cannot well describe the greetings we received from Rose and Letty,
and indeed from all the party, with many of whom, besides Mr and Mrs
Crisp, we were well acquainted.

Fortunately the train was not far from the spot selected for camping
that night, and several of the gentlemen insisted upon getting out of
their carioles and letting us take their places, while they put on our
snow-shoes and ran by our sides. Poor Pat was of course treated in the
same manner, and I took Bouncer in between my legs--the first time in
his life he had ever enjoyed the honour of being dragged by his
fellow-creatures.

The camp was soon reached. A party of men had gone on before to make
preparations. Tents had been put up for the ladies, lean-to's near the
fires to shelter the gentlemen.

Abundance of food was soon placed before us--soft bread, hot tea and
coffee. Far gone as we were, we were not so far gone that we could not
enjoy it.

The adventures of our friends were recounted. Mr Meredith, though he
had heard that the Blackfeet intended to take the fort, would have
remained to defend it had he not been compelled to quit it for want of
provisions. He was now returning with reinforcements of men and an
ample supply of food; besides which he had a party of hunters with him,
and he hoped to obtain an abundance of buffalo meat and venison. So
secure did he feel that he was bringing back Rose and Letty and Mr and
Mrs Crisp.

The two young ladies allowed Alick and me to sit near them; and I am
compelled to confess, though I heard the sweet tones of their voices in
my ear, it was not long after supper when I found my head nodding, and
that the power to rouse myself had gone. I sunk back fast asleep, and
remember nothing more till, opening my eyes, instead of the fair
countenances of my young friends, I saw the well-bronzed visage of Sandy
McTavish bending over me.

"Vera glad to see you, faster David, though I am loath to rouse you from
your sleep; but the sleighs are harnessing, and the train will presently
be on the move." Sandy, taking my hand as he spoke, helped me to rise.
I felt extremely stiff, and my joints ached considerably.

While I was drinking a tin of