pirits--we had no hope that Hiram Bunker or
any of his crew had been saved, and the disaster cast a gloom on all in
the fort. I may add here that the two voyageurs found the bodies of the
kind-hearted American skipper and six of his men, and that they were
buried the following day on a low bluff overlooking the scene of their
death-struggles. Peace to their ashes!

I slept soundly until late in the afternoon, and when supper was over,
and I had visited Baptiste in the hospital, Captain Rudstone and I spent
a quiet evening with the factor. Over pipes and brandy we told him the
story of the wreck, and of the circumstances that led to our hurried
flight from Quebec. He agreed that we had acted wisely, and he had some
remarks to make to the disadvantage of Cuthbert Mackenzie.

"He is a revengeful man," he added, "and he will leave no stone unturned
to settle with you for that night's work. I have no doubt that the theft
of Lord Selkirk's despatches was his aim."

"He did not get them," the captain laughed.

"It would have been a most unfortunate thing if he had," the factor
replied gravely. "One of the letters in the packet was for him and he
had already received it. Lord Selkirk is a shrewd and determined man,
and I am glad to know that they understand the danger at the head office
in London. My instructions are just what I have wished them to be, and I
suppose the import of all the letters is about the same."

"Very likely," assented Captain Rudstone. "I am glad you are pleased.
Trouble has been brewing this long time, and the crisis can't be far
off. By the by, have you had news from Quebec later than the date of our
sailing?"

"Not a word. The last mail, which brought me some London papers, left
Fort Garry at the close of June."

The factor sighed. He was fond of the life of towns and he had been
buried in the wilderness for ten years!

"Gentlemen, fill your glasses," he added. "Here's to the prosperity of
the company!"

"May it continue forever!" supplemented the captain.

I drank the toast, and then inquired what was the state of the lower
country.

"There have been no open hostilities as yet," the factor replied, "but
there are plenty of rumors--ugly rumors. And that reminds me, Mr. Carew,
a half-breed brought me a message from Griffith Hawke two days ago."

"I rather expected to find him here," said I, trying to hide my
eagerness at the opening of a subject which I had wished to come to.

"He has aba