e direction of the Hudson's Bay
Company's establishment, Fort Garry, while our worthy couple returned to
their hut to indulge in a final and well-earned pipe and a mug of the
strongest possible tea.

CHAPTER THREE.

TO THE RESCUE.

Winnipeg city, with its thousands of inhabitants, now covers the spot to
which Antoine Dechamp drove his friend Fergus McKay.

At the time we write of, the only habitation there was Fort Garry, a
solitary stone building of some strength, but without regular troops of
any kind, and held only by a few employes of the Hudson's Bay Company,
who were there only in the capacity of fur-traders.

Here the Governor of the colony received the unexpected guests with
hospitality; heard the tale of Fergus with a sympathetic ear, and at
once organised a rescue-expedition with dog-sledges and provisions.

While this was being done at the fort, Dan Davidson was similarly
employed at Prairie Cottage, the residence of his mother, who, since the
death of her husband--a farmer from the Scottish Lowlands--had managed
her farm with the aid of her two sons, Dan and Peter; the latter being a
youth of seventeen. She was also assisted by her only daughter, Jessie,
who was over thirteen years of age, and already esteemed an authority on
the subjects of poultry, cookery, and dairy produce. A small servant--a
French half-breed named Louise--completed the household of the widow
Davidson.

On reaching home, Dan, like Fergus McKay, experienced difficulties that
he had not counted on, for his overtaxed strength fairly broke down, and
he found himself almost incapable at first of telling his tale of
disaster. Then, when he tried to go about the needful preparations for
rescue, he found himself unable to resist drowsiness, and if he ventured
to sit down for a moment he fell sound asleep at once.

Those who have experienced this condition know how overwhelming and
intensely disagreeable it is, especially if resistance to it is rendered
imperative by a matter of life or death. Davidson struggled bravely
against it of course, but the struggle had already been so long
continued that his efforts were now in vain.

Starting up from the supper which Jessie had spread before him, and
which he was languidly attempting to eat, he said, almost fiercely,
"Where is the wash-tub, Louise?"

The surprised little domestic pointed to the article in question.

"Here; fetch some cold water."

"It is full," said Louise with