hen the Governor
sent a message by one of his aides-de-camp, to say that it was his
intention in the course of ten days to send a detachment of soldiers up
to Fort Frontignac--news have been received that the garrison was
weakened by a fever which had broken out; and that if Mr Campbell would
like to avail himself of the opportunity, he and his family, and all his
luggage, should go under the escort of the officer and troops. This
offer was, of course, joyfully accepted, and on Mr Campbell's calling
upon the Governor to return his thanks, the latter told him that there
would be plenty of room in the _bateaux_ and canoes for them and all
their luggage, and that he need not give himself further trouble, or
incur any further expense.

CHAPTER SIX.

MARTIN, THE TRAPPER.

The next day the Surveyor-General called, bringing with him Martin
Super, the trapper.

"Mr Campbell," said the surveyor, "this is my friend Martin Super; I
have spoken to him, and he has consented to take service for one year,
and he will remain, if he is satisfied. If he serves you as well as he
has served me when I have travelled through the country, I have no doubt
but you will find him a valuable assistant."

Martin Super was rather tall, very straight-limbed, shewing both
activity and strength. His head was smaller than usually is the case,
which gave him the appearance of great lightness and agility. His
countenance was very pleasing, being expressive of continual good
humour, which was indeed but corresponding to his real character. He
was dressed in a sort of hunting-coat of deer-skin, blue cloth leggings,
a cap of racoon's skin, with a broad belt round his waist, in which he
wore his knife.

"Now, Martin Super, I will read the terms of the agreement between you
and Mr Campbell, that you may see if all is as you wish."

The Surveyor-General read the agreement, and Martin Super nodded his
head in acquiescence.

"Mr Campbell, if you are satisfied, you may now sign it; Martin shall
do the same."

Mr Campbell signed his name, and handed the pen to Martin Super, who
then for the first time spoke.

"Surveyor, I don't know how my name is spelt; and if I did, I couldn't
write it, so I must do it Indian fashion, and put my totem to it?"

"What is your name among the Indians, Martin?"

"The Painter," replied Martin, who then made, under Mr Campbell's
signature, a figure like--saying, "There, that's my name as near as I
can draw it."