s they were getting up out of these queer beds in the deep snow
away out from the dense woods. It always occurred very early in the
morning, shortly after we had left our camps in the woods, where we had
spent the night. I could hardly get used to the start they gave me, as
sometimes they flew right up from under the feet of my dogs. They
seemed like wee ghosts, they were so very white, and my dogs as well as
myself were disturbed by their uncanny ways."

"Do they go back to the same snowdrifts night after night?" asked Frank.

"No," said Mr Ross; "they are birds that move around a good deal, and
as far as the Indians' observations go the same flock or covey never
sleep twice in the same place. If they did the foxes and other animals
that are very fond of feeding on them would soon discover their
retreats, and would make short work of them."

Thus the days and weeks passed by. Sometimes all the boys, with Mr
Ross and a number of Indians, would be away on some great excursion
after the bears or beavers. At other times shorter trips would be
arranged, when but one or two of the boys would go.

Then there were the home sports and frequent visits to the traps and
snares. The dogs were kept busy, and the skates and snowshoes were not
forgotten.

The visits between Sagasta-weekee and the mission were very frequent,
and it began to appear as if Cupid had donned a fur ermine coat, or a
feather mantle, and had made a flying visit and fired a couple of his
darts into the hearts of Frank and Alec, and on these darts were the
names of the two lovely daughters of the missionary. Whether this be
true or not, or only a rumour brought by a relay of gulls, we cannot
say, but Mrs Ross affirmed that never since their arrival at Sagasta-
weekee were these two young gentlemen so particular about their personal
appearance, or so anxious to find some good and valid reason why they
should be sent over to the home of the missionary. It was also
remarked, by those who saw their two beautifully painted carioles made
ready for the trip, that an extra soft fur robe or two were placed
therein. Their skates were sometimes also carried along with them. It
was also further remarked that they generally preferred starting early
in the day, and it was an actual fact that, although the whole round
trip need not have taken more than three or four hours, they generally
did not return until long after dark. Rumours also reached Sagasta-
weeke