trip men of his own Nelson River people. His
anxiety was, that at this the first meeting with his own people since he
had become a Christian, the talk which he was going to give them on the
subject of the good Book and his acceptance of Christianity, might be
made a great blessing to them.

So many and so valuable were the furs obtained in those days in the
Nelson River district, that often two brigades of boats were necessary
to bring up the catch of the previous winter. If the missionaries have
been preaching the Gospel at the different posts where these brigades
are made up, in all probability, part of the people have accepted
Christianity, while others still walk in their own ways. On their
trips, the Christians naturally travel together, while the pagans,
selecting one of their own party as their leader, form a separate
brigade.

It was known, that the first brigade coming consisted principally of
those who had as yet refused to renounce their pagan ways. Among them
were some of Sandy's own relatives, and he was intensely anxious, that
they should no longer continue in their opposition to Christianity, and
when appealed to on the subject, shrug their shoulders and say:

"As our fathers lived and died, so will we."

So we found out that the cause of Sandy's restlessness was his great
anxiety to help these, his friends, to know the Christ.

With glad hearts we cheerfully promised to aid him all we could. Still
he lingered, and it was evident that something else was on his mind,
although he had very warmly expressed his gratitude for our promise of
assistance. We encouraged him to tell us what was still on his heart,
so that if possible we might help him. Cheered by our words he said:

"Oh! I know you will help me to tell them of Jesus and His love; but
you know that most of these boatmen are not yet Christians, and they are
so blind and stupid. They are just like I was in my ignorance of this
religion--of the Bible; and my trouble and fear is that when I begin to
talk to them of this blessed way, they will get up and leave before I
have had time to say all that there is in my heart. I am afraid we
cannot keep them together unless--unless--"

"Unless what?" I said as he stopped.

The dear fellow looked up in our faces, and, seeing nothing but
encouragement there, mustered up courage to say this that was in his
heart:

"Unless we give them something to eat."

We had been long enough among the In