Giver of all that they possess. This feeling was
merged in one of surprise when the canoe touched the shore, and an
exceedingly pretty child, with fair complexion, blue eyes, and curling
hair, stepped lightly out, and ran to her father, who stooped to kiss
her on the cheek. Hendrick was not demonstrative, that was evident;
neither was his wife, nor his child. Whatever depth of feeling they
possessed, the surface ran smooth. Yet there was an air of quiet
gladness about the meeting which enabled Paul to understand what the
hunter meant when, in a former conversation, he had said that he "made
those around him happy."

"Is baby well?" he asked quickly.

"Yes, father, quite well, and I very sure wishing much that you come
home soon. You been long time away."

"Longer than I expected, Goodred. And I have brought friends with me,"
he added, turning to his wife. "Friends whom I have found in the
forest, Trueheart."

"You friends be welcome," said Trueheart, with a modest yet
self-possessed air.

The woman, who advanced and held out a small hand to be shaken in
European fashion, was obviously of Indian extraction, yet her brown
hair, refined cast of features, and easy manner, showed as obviously the
characteristics of her white father. Though not nearly so fair as her
child, she was still far removed from the deep colour of her mother's
race.

Before more could be said on either side the enthusiastic youngster in
the bark canoe leaped ashore, burst into the midst of the group with a
cheer, and began wildly to embrace one of his father's huge legs, which
was about as much of his person as he could conveniently grasp. He was
a miniature Hendrick, clad in leather from top to toe.

The whole party now entered the canoes, skimmed over the lake, and past
the wooded islets, towards the particular island which the hunter called
"home."

It was as romantic a spot as one could desire for a residence. Though
only a quarter of a mile or so in diameter, the island, which was
composed of granite, was wonderfully diversified in form and character.
There was a little cove which formed a harbour for the hunter's canoes;
bordering it was a patch of open ground backed by shrubs, above which
rose a miniature precipice. The ground in the centre of the isle was
rugged--as the captain remarked, quite mountainous in a small way!
Hendrick had taught his children to call it the mountain, and in the
midst of its miniature fastnesses