r eyes, and influencing their hearts, so that they may
become true servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The delight visible in the sparkling eyes of the young people, as
they took their leave, spoke their thanks. On their way home, they
talked of nothing else but fur companies, lakes, rivers, prairies, and
rocky mountains; buffaloes, wolves, bears, and beavers; and it was
quite as much as Brian and Basil could do, to persuade their brother
Austin from making up his mind at once to be a voyageur, a coureur des
bois, or a trapper. The more they were against it, so much the more
his heart seemed set upon the enterprise; and the wilder they made the
buffaloes that would attack him, and the bears and wolves that would
tear him to pieces, the bolder and more courageous he became. However,
though on this point they could not agree, they were all unanimous in
their determination to make another visit the first opportunity.

[Illustration: Indian Cloak.]

[Illustration: Chiefs of different Tribes.]

CHAPTER III.

The next time the three brothers did not go to the red sand-stone
rock, but the adventure which took place there formed a part of their
conversation. They found the hunter at home, and, feeling now on very
friendly and familiar terms with him, they entered at once on the
subject that was nearest their hearts. "Tell us, if you please," said
Austin, as soon as they were seated, "about the very beginning of the
red men."

"You are asking me to do that," replied the hunter, "which is much
more difficult than you suppose. To account for the existence of the
original inhabitants, and of the various tribes of Indians which are
now scattered throughout the whole of North America, has puzzled the
heads of the wisest men for ages; and, even at the present day, though
travellers have endeavoured to throw light on this subject, it still
remains a mystery."

_Austin._ But what is it that is so mysterious? What is it that wise
men and travellers cannot make out?

_Hunter._ They cannot make out how it is, that the whole of
America--taking in, as it does, some parts which are almost always
covered with snow, and other parts that are as hot as the sun can make
them--should be peopled with a class of human beings distinct from all
others in the world--red men, who have black hair, and no beards. If
you remember, it is said, in the first chapter of Genesis, "So God
created ma