the warm,
thick blankets known as four-point Hudson Bay Company's blankets were
placed.

While the bed was being thus prepared Mr Ross and the three boys were
busily employed in preparing themselves to occupy it. It can be readily
understood that there was no such thing as "undressing" for bed in such
a cold bedroom.

"Unloose your collars and shirt bands," was all the directions given, as
far as disrobing was concerned.

The heavy travelling moccasins used during the day were exchanged either
for long fur boots that came up to the hips, or for much larger and
softer moccasins than those used during the day.

It generally added to the comfort if a few of the tightest buttons on
some of the inner garments were unloosed. Then the heavy blanket coats,
which had been well dried of all the perspiration absorbed during the
day, and well warmed, were put on. The heavy fur caps, with the big fur
ears, were well drawn down, while, over all, the warm capotes, as hoods,
were pulled up on the head and down in front to the nose. Great fur
mittens made of beaver and otter fur were then drawn on the hands, and
the night suit was complete.

Mr Ross took the outside place. Then Sam, Alec, and Frank cuddled down
in the order named. There they lay with their feet as near to the fire
as it was safe, so as not to burn the blankets or robes. Then the
Indians quickly threw some heavy blankets and fur robes over them and
began at their feet to tuck them in. Indians are very clever and handy
at all such work, their movements are all so gentle and skillful. They
would make the best nurses in the world. No woman is quieter, quicker,
or more prompt just to do the right thing in the right way than an
Indian attendant with a little training. It seems to come to them more
natural than to any other people. So here they so daintily, and yet so
thoroughly, tucked in the "master," as they called Mr Ross, and his
three young guests.

The boys enjoyed the operation hugely until they reached their heads.
Then, as the Indians began to tuck in both blankets and fur robes under
their heads, completely covering them up, it was a new experience, and
one not very pleasant to contemplate. Mr Ross, who was an old
traveller in this land, and one who had slept out hundreds of nights in
this way, was not at all discommoded by the tucking in. But it was too
much for the boys. They stood it as long as they could, and then almost
simultaneously the