said laughing; "I don't think we could manage a canoe."

"No; but it would be wise to get your boxes as far up the country as you
can, and that can only be by means of the Indians and one of their
canoes."

"But you would have to pay them."

"Of course."

"And would it be safe to trust them?"

"We shall see, my lad. But patience. They ought to have called this
place New England. What a country and a climate for a man who could be
content to settle down to a ranch and farm. There," he continued, "I
dare say you two want to have a chat. I shall be aft there if you wish
to say anything to me."

He was quite right. Esau was waiting to come up and talk, pointing out
distant mountains, the islands we were passing, and the appearance of
the land we were approaching, a place all mystery and interest to us
now.

"I say," he cried, "I've been talking to one of the men aboard here, and
he says it will be easy enough to find Fort Elk; that we've only got to
keep to the side of the river, and we shall be sure to get there some
time."

"Some time?" I said rather dismally. "When is that?"

"Oh, there's no hurry," cried Esau, enthusiastically. "It will be rare
good fun going along by the river, and through the woods, with no one to
interfere with you, and order you to copy this or write out that. But
let's get away from old Gunson as soon as we can."

"You want boy?" said a mild, insinuating voice, and the little fellow in
blue stood by us with his head on one side, and his black, currant-like
eyes twinkling in his yellow face. The black close cap which he had
seemed to wear had disappeared, for it had only been his curled-up
pigtail, which now hung down his back nearly to his heels. "You want
boy?" he said again.

He was so close to us now that I could see, in spite of his being only
about the stature of a lad of thirteen, that he must be a man of thirty
at least, and in spite of his quaint aspect, there was something
pleasant and good-humoured about his countenance that was attractive.

"Want a boy?" said Esau, rather roughly. "He's got one. Can't you see
him? Me!"

The Chinaman nodded and smiled at Esau, as if he admired his
fresh-coloured smooth face and curly fair hair. Then showing his teeth
a little, he went on--

"Me speak ploper Inglis allee same Melican man. Velly stlong. Washee.
Cally big pack allee over countly. Cookee. Velly good cookee. Make
nicee blead. Hot fire, plenty tea."