It takes un a month t' go in, but runnin' back light wi'
th' rapids they makes un in a week, so you gets back th' first week in
September month."

"'Twould be grand t' have you along, sir!" exclaimed Bob. "An' I were
never thinkin' o' that. Father's wonderful at plannin'."

"Done!" said Shad. "I'll do it, but I hope you won't find me a
nuisance around here during the three weeks we have to wait."

"Oh, no, sir! 'Tis a rare treat t' have you visit us, sir!" protested
Richard.

And thus it was finally decided.

Bob was very busy during the days that followed. Not only his
provision and clothing supply for a ten months' absence from home was
to be made ready, but also the full equipment for the new trails to be
established.

The necessary traps had already been purchased, but sheet-iron had to
be fashioned into stoves and stove-pipe to heat the tents and log
tilts, and one new tent was to be made. It was imperative, too, that
each minor necessity that the wilderness itself could not readily
supply, he provided in advance, and that nothing be forgotten or
overlooked.

The establishment of these trails was an event of high importance in
the Gray household. Bob's little fortune of a few thousand dollars,
derived from the salvage of a trading schooner the previous year, had
been deposited in a St. Johns bank, and his thrifty old friend,
Douglas Campbell, had suggested that it might be invested to advantage
in a small trading venture.

"Bob can lay his trails this winter," said Douglas, "an' next year
take some tradin' goods in. Knowin' th' Nascaupee an' Mountaineer
Injuns, an' a bit o' their lingo, he'll be able t' do a snug bit o'
tradin' with un, along with his trappin'. An' if you opens a little
store here at th' Bight next summer, th' rest of you can 'tend un when
Bob's inside trappin'.

"I were thinkin', too," said Douglas, "'twould be fine t' send Emily
t' St. Johns t' school th' winter, an' she'd learn t' keep th' books.
She's a smart lass, an' she'd learn, now, in a winter or two winters,
whatever, an' 'twould pay--an' do th' lass a wonderful lot o' good.
I'm wantin' a trip t' St. Johns, an' I'd take she on th' mail boat."

There were many long discussions before it was finally decided that
Bob should launch upon the venture. Bob's mother opposed it. The
terrible winter of suspense when Bob, lost in the snow, was given up
for dead, was still a vivid remembrance to her. She recalled those
tedious months o