the surface of a lake or river,
the driver walks behind and holds on to a tail-line, to prevent the dogs
from running away. If the traveller's way lies through the woods, the
snow is so soft and deep that the poor dogs are neither willing nor able
to run away. It is as much as they can do to walk; so the driver goes
before them, in this case, and beats down the snow with his
snow-shoes--"beats the track," as it is called. The harness of the dogs
is usually very gay, and covered with little bells which give forth a
cheerful tinkling sound.

"It's young Cameron," cried Mr Pemberton, hastening forward to welcome
the newcomer.

Cameron was the gentleman in charge of the nearest outpost--two hundred
and fifty miles down the river.

"Welcome, Cameron, my boy, welcome to Fort Erie. You are the
pleasantest sight we have seen here for many a day," said Pemberton,
shaking the young man heartily by the hand as soon as he had jumped out
of his sleigh.

"Come, Pemberton, you forget Miss Marie Laroche when you talk of my
being the pleasantest sight," said Cameron, laughing.

"Ah! true. Pardon me, Marie--"

"Excuse me, gentlemen," interrupted Jasper, with much gravity, "I know
of no such person as Miss Marie Laroche!"

"How? what do you mean?" said Cameron, with a puzzled look.

"Jasper is right," explained Pemberton, "Marie was _Miss_ _Laroche_
yesterday; she is _Mrs Derry_ to-day."

"Then I salute you, Mrs Derry, and congratulate you both," cried the
young man, kissing the bride's fair cheek, "and I rejoice to find that I
am still in time to dance at your wedding."

"Ay," said Pemberton, as they moved up to the hall, "that reminds me to
ask you why you are so late. I expected you before Christmas Day."

"I had intended to be here by that day," replied Cameron, "but one of my
men cut his foot badly with an axe, and I could not leave him; then my
dogs broke down on the journey, and that detained me still longer. But
you will forgive my being so late, I think, when I tell you that I have
got a packet of letters with me."

"Letters!" shouted every one.

"Ay, letters and newspapers from England."

A loud cheer greeted this announcement. The packet was hauled out of
the sleigh, hurried up to the fort, torn open with eager haste, and the
fur-traders of Fort Erie were soon devouring the contents like hungry
men.

And they _were_ hungry men--they were starving! Those who see their
kindred and friends daily, or h