tretches and the snow lies thick,
and there is not the least vestige of a road or trail, then the value
and sagacity of the dogs are seen and the power and endurance of the
guides and drivers are put to the severest test.

Mr Ross still prided himself on his splendid dogs. In his younger days
he had the reputation of being one of the most active and energetic of
the young officers in the service of the Hudson Bay Company. His
father, who was for many years one of the chief factors in the Company's
service, was proud of his son's endurance and skill, as well as of his
tact and ability in managing strange Indians and thus opening up new
trading posts among them. So constantly employed had he been in thus
advancing the interests of this fur-trading corporation that some
winters he travelled thousands of miles with his own dog-train and
guides. In his wanderings he had met with some strange adventures, and
had passed through some trying ordeals. Later on we may hear from his
own lips the recital of some of these stirring events.

Now, however, that he had retired from active service he had left these
long and dangerous journeys to be taken by younger men. Still, the love
for the dogs was so ingrained within him, and he had so much work for
them to do, that he was the possessor of some very valuable trains,
which every winter did his work and gave him as much pleasure as ever a
man derived from the possession of a fine carriage and a splendid span
of horses.

Knowing well the habits of the old Indian who had charge of his dogs,
Mr Ross said to the boys:

"It is very likely that Kinesasis will come in to-day with some of the
dogs. If he does we will harness them up to-morrow, and if the ice is
strong enough to be safe we will return with them for the others. I
understand he has a number of fine young dogs; doubtless there will be
enough to make a good train for each of you, after they are broken in.
So there will be plenty of work for all to-day, to get ready for the
first day's outing with dog-trains."

Soon everybody was at work. Indian women, under Mrs Ross's direction,
were busily employed in making large mooseskin moccasins and mittens.
Beautiful white blanket overcoats, with warm capotes or hoods, had
already been made for each of the boys. They were to be worn over the
deerskin suits when they stopped to rest in the heavy trail, and also
while the boys were riding over the long stretches of icy roads whe