ements were decided on and last purchases made
for the dash into the wilds.

Peter Boots, in his element, was as excited and pleased as a child with
a new toy.

"Here I am, where I've longed to be!" he exulted; "at least, I'm on my
way. Buck up, you fellows, and enjoy yourselves, or you'll answer to me
why not!"

"I'm for it," Kit Shelby cried; "I hated that dinky little old steamer,
but now we're ashore in this live wire of a place, I'm as excited and
glad as anybody. I say, the mail from England comes every year! Think of
that!"

"Once a year!" wondered Blair.

"Yep; the good ship _Pelican_ brought it yesterday, and it's due again
next summer! Up and coming, this place, I tell you!"

"It nothing means to us," said Crane, calmly; "I'm expecting no
valentines from England myself, and we'll be back home before mails from
the States get around again."

"And, moreover," said Shelby, who had been acquiring information by
various means, "old Captain Whiskers, forninst, says that we're bound to
get lost, strayed and stolen if we go the route we've planned."

"That's our route, then!" Peter said, satisfiedly; "they always prophesy
all sorts of dismal fates, and, like dreams, they go by contraries.
'Fraid, boys!"

He extricated himself from the onslaught this speech brought and then
all set about getting the outfit into shape for the start.

Pounds and pounds of flour, bacon, lard, pea meal, tea, coffee, rice,
tobacco and other necessaries were packed and stowed and maneuvered by
the capable Joshua, before whose superior judgment Peter Boots had to
bow.

Some natives were hired to help carry things that were to be cached
against the return trip, and three tired but happy men went to rest for
their last night beneath a real roof for many weeks.

Next morning their happiness was even greater and their spirits higher,
for the day was clear and perfect, the air full of exhilarating ozone
and the golden sunlight and deep blue sky seemed to promise a fair trip
and a safe return.

Gayly they started off, and gayly they continued, save when the rain
poured unpleasantly, or the swarms of Labrador flies attacked them or
steep banks or swift rapids made portage difficult.

However as no threats or persuasions could induce Joshua to travel in
the rain, there were enforced rests that helped in the long run.

Another trial was the midday heat. Though the temperature might be at
the freezing point at night, by noon it woul