f the Crees did those of the Stoneys and Beavers long ago. I
mean the invasion of the wagon-trains of farmers."

"Yes," said Rob, "Alex told us we'd have to go to the Liard River
pretty soon, if we wanted any moose or bear; but anyhow, we're here in
time, and we want to thank you for helping us have such a pleasant
trip. We're going to enjoy the run down the river, I'm sure."

XXVIII

STEAMBOATING IN THE FAR NORTH

Captain Saunders finished the operation of getting wood for the _Peace
River_ by ten o'clock of the next morning, and as the steamer once
more came alongside the steep bank at the landing the hoarse note of
her whistles notified every one to get ready for the journey down the
stream. The boys, who had passed the night in their tent with
Alex--Moise having gone to his own tepee for the night--now began to
bestir themselves before going aboard the steamer.

"What are we going to do with all our things, Alex?" asked Rob.

"How do you mean, sir?"

"Why, our tent and the skins and trophies and blankets and
everything--we won't need them on board the boat, will we?"

"No, sir, and the best way will be to leave them here."

"What! In our tent, with no one to care for them? You know, Moise is
going with us, as I understand it."

"Everything will be perfectly safe right there in the tent, if only
you tie the flaps so the dogs can't get in," answered Alex. "You see,
it's only white men that steal in this country--the Injuns and breeds
won't do that. Until the Klondike pilgrims came through here we didn't
know what theft was. I can answer for these people here. Everything
you leave will be perfectly safe, and, as you say, it will be less
bother than to take this stuff along on the boat."

Rob motioned to his companions, and they stepped aside for a little
while.

"What are we going to do about the stuff we've got left over,
fellows?" asked he. "Of course, we've got to get down by wagon as far
as Little Slave, and we'll need grub enough, if Uncle Dick hasn't got
it, to last us two or three days. But we won't boat, and we've got
quite a lot of supplies which I think we had better give to
Moise--they have to charge pretty good prices for everything they sell
at the store up here, and maybe Moise will like this stuff."

"That suits me," said John, "and I think it would be a good idea. Give
Moise all the meat and such supplies as we don't need going out."

"And then, how about the boats?"

"Well, o