ot," said Elspie, while her sire continued his breakfast with
manifest satisfaction. "He went off to search for buffalo with Perrin
and several others. They said they would return to us if they found
anything. But, as they have not come back, we suppose they must have
been unsuccessful. Did you meet any of the poor people on the way out,
Dan?"

"Ay, we met some of them," replied the hunter, in a sad tone. "All
struggling to make their way back to the Settlement, and all more or
less starving. We helped them what we could, but some were past help;
and we came upon two or three that had fallen in their tracks and died
in the snow. But we have roused the Settlement, and there are many
rescue-parties out in all directions now, scouring the plains."

"You hev stirred it enough, Okematan," said old McKay, referring to the
kettle of food which was being prepared. "Here, fill my pannikin: I can
wait no longer."

"Whenever you have finished breakfast we must start off home," said
Davidson, helping Elspie to some of the much-needed and not yet warmed
soup, which was quickly made by mixing pemmican with flour and water.
"I have brought two sleds, so that you and your father may ride, and we
will carry the provisions. We never know when the gale may break out
again."

"Or when heavy snow may come on," added Peter, who was by that time busy
with his own breakfast.

Okematan occupied himself in stirring the contents of the large kettle,
and occasionally devouring a mouthful of pemmican uncooked.

An hour later, and they were making for home almost as fast as the
rescue-party had travelled out--the provisions transferred to the strong
backs of their rescuers--old McKay and Elspie carefully wrapped up in
furs, reposing on the two sledges.

CHAPTER SIX.

DISCORD AND DECEIT, ETCETERA.

It was found, on their arrival at the home of Duncan McKay senior, that
Duncan junior had got there before them, he having been met and brought
in by one of the settlers who had gone out with his cariole to do what
he could for the hunters. The two women who discovered the body of
Perrin, however, had not yet arrived, and nothing was known of the
murder in the Settlement.

"It iss little troubled _you_ wass, what came over us," remarked old
Duncan angrily, on entering his house, and finding his younger son
engaged with a pipe beside the kitchen fire.

"An' how could _I_ know where you wass; efter I had been huntin' for
nothin'