e bright blue sky. A mere dip of the paddles
now and then served to give impulse to the light, and literal, bark.
Genial warmth pervaded the atmosphere, and little white gulls floated
almost motionless on outspread wings, or sloped hither and thither with
lazy flap, while ever and anon the whistling wings of passing wild-fowl
gave promise of occupation to their guns, to say nothing of their
kettles.

On their third day out, towards evening, they went ashore on the
lee-side of a rocky point where some bushes and trees seemed to offer
firewood and shelter.

"This will do," said Dan, as he stepped lightly out on a shelving rock
and held the canoe while his companion took out the lading. "Plenty dry
sticks and lots of moss for bedding."

"Truly, that is so," returned La Certe. "It is a place in which
Slowfoot would rejoice to repose, and the little one to smoke its pipe."

"You forget," said Dan. "The little one is no longer allowed that
luxury."

"No, I forgot not. But I reflect that it is possible to give her many a
draw on the sly."

The fire was soon kindled, ducks were roasting in front of it, and the
kettle boiling above it. The tea had been infused, and La Certe, while
filling his pipe, was blinking good-will at all around, when the notes
of a voyageur-song were heard like an echo in the far distance.

Gradually the song grew louder, and soon a canoe rounded the point, and
came in sight of the camp-fire. It was what used to be called a
north-canoe, of the largest size, made of birch-bark, and contained a
crew of ten men.

The song and the paddling stopped simultaneously when the camp was
observed, and the men appeared to hold a consultation. Their
hesitation, however, was very brief. Suddenly, breaking again into
song, they ran the canoe to shore, and landed.

"We are bound for Red River," said their chief to Dan. "Just come from
Canada. We suppose you don't object to our camping beside you. It is a
convenient spot."

Of course the two hunters had no objection whatever to fraternise with
the strangers from Canada, and in a short time another large fire was
sending its myriad sparks up into the darkening sky like a gigantic
roman-candle.

During supper the strangers made themselves very agreeable. After
supper, two of the stoutest of them arose, as if to go into the bush for
more firewood. Suddenly these threw themselves upon and seized Dan and
his comrade, who were reclining quietly on th