ugh me.

"We've run down a boat," I said excitedly, "and the people are
drowning."

I ran toward the bows of the little panting and snorting steamer, where
those on board were gathered in a knot, and just then the skipper
shouted an order, the clank of the engine ceased, and I caught sight of
a curious-looking canoe that had come out from one of the islands which
dotted the channel, and had been paddled across our course.

"Is any one drowned?" I said to Gunson excitedly.

"Drowned? no. Only going to take a passenger on board."

By this time I was looking over the side at the occupants of the canoe,
which was formed of skins stretched over a framework, and was now being
paddled up close alongside. Then one of the men in her caught the rope
thrown to him, and held on while a little yellow-complexioned boy, as he
seemed to me, dressed in a blue cotton pinafore and trousers, and
wearing a flat, black skull-cap, made of rolls of some material joined
together, suddenly stood up and threw a small bundle on board, after
which he scrambled over the side himself, nodding and smiling to all
around. The rope was loosened by the man in the boat, the paddle-wheels
began to beat the water again, and I watched the canoe as it rapidly
fell astern.

"Well, what do you think of the Indians?" said Gunson, coming to where I
stood.

"Were those Indians?"

"Yes; three siwashes and a klootchman, as they call themselves--three
men and a woman."

I began to regret that I had not taken more notice of them, and seeing
how I leaned over to get another glimpse, Gunson continued--

"Oh, you'll meet plenty more. But you see how civilised they are
getting, carrying passengers aboard. I did not expect to find him
here."

"Do you know that boy then in the blue blouse?" I said wonderingly.

"Oh yes, I know him. I used to see a good deal of him right away yonder
in the south; and now I see that he is getting naturalised here. Come
up from 'Frisco, I suppose."

"But you don't mean that you know that particular boy?"

"Oh no. I was speaking of him as a class. He must have an object in
coming across here."

Gunson said this in a thoughtful way that I did not understand then; and
as he saw that I was watching him curiously, he drew my attention to the
mainland, towards which we were gliding.

"There," he said, "you'll soon be able to say goodbye to the sea. It
will be canoes and legs for the rest of your journey."

"Legs," I