ere uttered, and all the ladies of the party
retired to the large, commodious tent that, as we have seen, had been
prepared for them. Mr Ross, Mr Hurlburt, and the boys went to the
camp beds that had been long waiting for them on the dry beach. Here
the Indians quickly tucked them in, and soon they were fast asleep--so
fast that Sam declared when he heard the sharp call, "Leve! leve!" in
the morning that he had not had time for even one sweet dream.

Quickly were the morning preparations made. The kettles were soon
boiling and a hasty breakfast prepared. When this was eaten the
Christian Indians asked Mr Hurlburt to take charge of their morning
devotions. This he cheerfully did, and so, as was customary, the
service was conducted in Cree and English.

Then the cry was, "All aboard!" The boys--Frank and Alec, we mean--
could not help casting their eyes toward the snow-white tent in hopes of
at least one more glimpse at two of its inmates. They were almost in
despair, when Sam's cheery voice rang out:

"Don't lose heart, my hearties! If all the boys should go to China, the
girls would surely go to Pekin. Sure they are _peekin'_ now, and here
they come! Hurrah, and welcome!"

Yes, here they come. Love's ears are sharp, and so Rachel and Winnie
heard the call to the travellers, and up they had sprung and dressed,
and now, radiant and lovely, once more they came in their sweet beauty
to greet and say "Good-bye" again, and "God be with you till we meet
again." For a few minutes they chatted, and then the "All aboard!"
again rang out, and so they once more lovingly saluted each other and
parted. Rachel and Winnie at once returned to the tent. Frank and Alec
were soon in their places in the boat. One after another of the boats
pushed off, until the whole little fleet was under way. The wind was
favourable, and so it was a pretty sight to see the whole brigade
speeding on over the rippling waves with the white sails filled by the
northern breeze.

Spider Islands were nearly reached ere much was said by anybody but Sam.
His good humour and mirth were irrepressible, and soon it became
contagious. He had tried his hand at a big oar, and, "catching a crab,"
had tumbled back amid some boxes, much to the amusement of all.

Thus on they sped. At Montreal Point they stopped long enough to boil
their kettles, and then their journey was resumed. At Poplar Point they
spent a few hours and had a good sleep. Then ne