, and then returning by the Hudson Bay and North Atlantic route.
This decided, the next question was how to make the best of the ten days
that would elapse ere the journey would begin.

"I'll wager my dog-whip against a pair of moccasins," said Sam, "that I
know where a good part of the time will be spent if a couple of young
gentlemen friends of mine can have their own way."

"All right," quickly responded Mrs Ross, "for although I consider a
wager, at best, is but a fool's argument, and so you may keep your whip,
I will accept your challenge and say that I know that here at Sagasta-
weekee is the spot where the two young gentlemen you have in your mind
will prefer to spend the time until the home journey is commenced."

The sudden extinguishment of Sam's pet phrases of "I'll wager" and "I'll
bet" by the gentle Mrs Ross was much relished by Frank and Alec, who
well knew that they were the young gentlemen to whom he referred, and on
whom he was about to turn his raillery. Generous, good-natured Sam was
quick to acknowledge the error of his ways, in the use of those
expressions from the betting world that had, he hardly knew how, found
their way into his vocabulary. Still, as he gracefully apologised to
Mrs Ross, there was a half-comical, half-perplexed look in his face,
and so, as he never could keep even his thoughts to himself, amidst the
laughter of all he blurted out:

"Sure I was thinking of the young ladies over the way there at the
mission, and that it would be in their sweet smiles my two chums would
wish to be basking."

"We have been thinking of them also," said Mrs Ross, "and before this,
I imagine, the canoe has reached the mission, with a cordial invitation
for both of them to come over, with as many others of the family as can
leave, and spend the time with us until the boats start for Red River."

"Hurrah!" shouted Frank and Alec in chorus, and ere they seemed aware of
what they were doing, in the exuberance of their boyish delight, they
had hold of Mrs Ross and were gyrating with her around the room, to the
great amusement of all, especially of Roderick and Wenonah, who speedily
joined in the sport.

This being settled, the next thing was to talk over the preparations
essential for the return trip. So many and varied were the trophies of
the chase, as well as Indian curios that each of the boys wished to take
back to the home land, that orders were at once given to the carpenters
for the requis