revent even an attempt being made. They never freed their wrists from
strong cords; kept knives and axes out of their way; tethered them to a
tree each night, and watched them continually.

Can it be wondered at that, in the circumstances, our unfortunate hero
became almost insane? The wedding-day had been fixed before he left Red
River; preparations were being made for the great event, and it was
pretty well understood that Dan had gone off hunting with the view,
chiefly, to be out of people's way till the day should arrive. They
would scarcely begin to notice his prolonged absence till the day
approached. Then, no doubt, when too late, and he should be far on the
way to Canada, they would in some alarm send out parties to search for
him.

Dan became desperate, but he was gifted with an unusual power of
self-control, so that, beyond a very stern expression, his countenance
betrayed no sign of the terrible conflict that was raging within--a
conflict in which mortal hatred of mankind in general and an
overwhelming desire to kill or be killed formed elements. Ah! reader,
poor human beings have many and many a time in the past been brought to
this terrible condition. God grant that we and ours may never know what
it is to tremble on the brink of madness because of the combined
influence of gross injustice and horrible cruelty. To do the
Nor'-westers justice, they were unaware of the intensity of the pain
they were inflicting. They had only captured a powerful enemy, and
meant, by keeping a tight hold of him, to render him powerless in the
future--that was all!

As for La Certe, they had no intention of taking him to Canada. They
only meant to carry him so far on the road, that, when set free, it
would be impossible for him to get back to the colony in time to give
effective warning to Dan's friends.

One afternoon the voyagers put ashore at one of the numerous portages
which obstruct the navigation of that route to Canada, and, after
unloading the canoe and lifting her out of the water, they proceeded to
carry the lading across to the still water above the rapids which
rendered this portage necessary.

Although bound, the prisoners were by no means freed from labour. The
cords had been so arranged that they could use the paddle while in the
canoe; while, on the portages, although unable to load themselves, they
were quite able to carry a load which others placed on their shoulders.
On this occasion Dan was