ly this road, just opposite to Jenkins Creek, where the McLeods
had commenced their squatting operations, ran along the shore at some
distance from the entrance to the creek, so that Redding could pass
without encountering the newcomers, whom he was anxious to avoid until
the question of the invasion of the Fur Company's rights was settled.

Despite their utmost efforts, night began to close upon the travellers
before they reached Bellew's shanty in Boulder Creek.

"Take care, Monsieur, there is von portion dangereux here," said
Francois Le Rue.

"Where?" asked Redding, as he checked the pony a little and looked
earnestly ahead.

"Ah! dere!" exclaimed Le Rue.

His remark was needless, for at that moment the sleigh turned over a
ledge of rock and pitched its occupants into a snow-drift.

"Killded?" gasped the Canadian, as he emerged from the snow with eyes,
ears, and nostrils stuffed full; "no--not quite!"

Satisfying himself that no bones were broken, he turned abruptly to look
for his companion, whose motionless legs sticking out of the drift were
the only visible portions of his body.

Anxiously and swiftly did Francois drag his master out, and great was
his relief when poor Redding looked at him with a bewildered gaze and
demanded to know what had happened!

"Oh! I see, capsized," he said, rising and pressing his hand to his
brow, "I believe I must have hit my head against a stump, for I've been
slightly stunned. However, `all's well that ends well.' Not hurt,
Francois?"

"No, Monsieur,--not fatever."

"That's right, lend a hand to lift the sleigh--hoop! there--jump in."

Le Rue obeyed. The bear-rug was replaced around them, and the pony,
which had stood as quiet as a lamb during the accident, started forward
again.

"Voila! von light," exclaimed the Canadian.

At that moment they had rounded the corner of a high cliff, and come
into view of Boulder Creek. There was just light enough to make the
chaotic grandeur of the place visible in a ghostly degree. Great
boulders and masses of rock, which had fallen from the neighbouring
mountains and cliffs, lay piled about in the creek or gully in wildest
confusion. Some of these masses were as large as a small hut, but they
were of all sizes as well as shapes. It was a weird scene, and
forbidding; nevertheless some human being had seen fit to take up his
abode there, as was made apparent by the light referred to by Le Rue.

Picking their way careful