tning flash his gun flew to his shoulder. Dechamp was
a first-rate shot. He fired, and, as we have seen, the wolf stretched
himself in death upon the plain.

Thus was Dan Davidson rescued at almost the eleventh hour.

CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.

HOME-COMING AND BARGAINING.

The return of the hunting party to Red River Settlement was an
illustration of the uncertainty of all human affairs. They went forth
rejoicing in all the strength of youth and manhood; they returned in
sorrow, with one at least of the strong men reduced to the last stage of
weakness.

We would not be understood to refer to this in a pessimistic spirit. On
the contrary, the optimistic view suggests the very same idea of
uncertainty, though in a pleasant aspect; for does not many a day that
dawns in cloud and rain progress to brilliant sunshine? while equally
true it is that many a life which begins in sorrow culminates in joy.

Okematan, who was intensely philosophical and inquisitive, had been
carrying on a semi-speculative conversation with Billie on this very
subject while descending the Red River towards Prairie Cottage--much to
the perplexity of the invalid, who scarce knew how to answer the chief's
queries, and greatly to the interest of Archie, who wondered at Little
Bill's powers of reply.

"By the way," said Archie, "when you two have settled that knotty point,
will you tell me who is to take the news of Dan's accident to Mrs
Davidson? We'll have to carry him up to the house, you know, on a
blanket 'tween two poles, an' she'll be sure to think that he's dead, or
has been killed, an' that'll half-kill _her_, it'll give her such a
fright. Somebody will have to go on ahead and tell her."

"I will, if you like," said Billie; "if you'll only carry me up to the
garden gate and set me down, I can easily walk up the path."

This proposal had just been agreed to when the whole flotilla of canoes
paddled up alongside of the bank close under Prairie Cottage.

It was evening at the time. The Davidson family was at supper, and as
the canoes had approached very quietly, with Dan in the leading one, no
person stood on the bank to welcome them.

"It's as well they don't know," said Archie, jumping on shore. "Now,
Little Bill, come along, and I'll carry you to the gate while they're
arranging matters for Dan."

Seated at the foot of the family table was Peter Davidson. He could see
the garden path through the window.

"Hallo! mother," he