ng it in place with a few
tacks. His task completed, he handed it to La Salle, and rose to go.
The latter restrained him, saying,--

"Hold, Peter; you must have your pay first. Here is a pair of rubber
boots and some dry stockings. Put them on, and throw away those old
moccasons, and take these few things to your wife."

"You very kind, brother," said Peter, simply, taking the small bundle of
tea, sugar, bread, cake, and jellies which could be spared from their
limited stock of "small stores."

"And, Peter," continued La Salle, "Ben and I have concluded to share
with you in the matter of the fox. We have no wives yet, and therefore
think about one half the price ought to go to you. This paper will get
you that double-barrel of Ben's father to-morrow, if you feel like going
over for it; and you will also be allowed to purchase twenty-five
dollars' worth more of ammunition, food, and clothing."

The tears came into the poor fellow's eyes.

"Damn! I know you hite men. I know you heretic. I say I no hunt with
you. I try cheat you on the trail, and you make Peter cly like squaw. I
wish--I wish--you two, tlee, six fathom deep in river. I jump in for you
if I die."

And, seizing the bundle and the precious order, he dashed the moisture
from his eyes, and took the road homeward.

"He will never repay your kindness," said Lund. "Them Indians is never
grateful for anything."

"I think he will repay it, if it is ever in his power," said Risk.
"Peter is one of the most honest and industrious of his tribe, and it is
not his fault when his children want food."

"Well, boys," said the elder Davies, "I suppose you have done right, and
that you will receive as much gratitude as we give to our heavenly
Father; but, as men look at things, you have, indeed, 'cast your bread
upon the waters.'"

"If it is so, Mr. Davies," said La Salle, with a solemnity unusual with
him, "our reward is sure; for the promise is, 'Thou _shalt_ find it
after many days.'"

"But," said Lund, with a quiet twinkle in his sharp gray eye, "I'd like
to bet five shillin' that, when you are repaid, it won't be in Indian
bread."

"Pretty good!" laughed Kennedy, who had taken the day to finish up a
large pile of "back numbers" of his favorite daily, "but I think hardly
just to the Indians. Horace Greeley has given a great deal of thought to
this Indian question, and although he would disapprove of supplying them
with arms and ammunition, yet in all other m