st of calm, hour sifter hour these
faithful men toiled on at their oars, as diligently as ever did any
galley slave. A favouring breeze, even if it turned into a dangerous
gale, was ever welcomed, as it gave the men a rest from their slavish
work.

As soon as the wind was favourable the cheery cry of:

"Meyoo-nootin," (Fair wind,) from the guide,--or as was the cry on this
trip, "Souway-nas," (South wind,)--gladdened every heart. At once there
was great activity. The oars were hauled in, and the mast which had
been lashed to the side of the boat, was quickly placed in position.
Ropes were speedily arranged, the big square sail was hoisted, and on we
sped before the favouring breeze.

With the rising of the wind, generally came the great waves; and the
most careful steering on the part of Big Tom was necessary to keep our
heavily laden boat from plunging her prow into foam-covered billows. It
was a pleasure to observe the watchful care of this cautious steersman,
as well as to see the strength and quickness with which he managed our
little boat when great waves seemed about to sweep over us. His
courteous ways won our respect, while his ability as a steersman
commanded our admiration.

He did all that he could to make our trip, which had many drawbacks, as
comfortable and as enjoyable as possible. It was not very comfortable
to have a great struggling ox on board, very close to the place where we
had to sit. Sometimes, as the boat was tossed on the waves, his head
was over one side of the little craft; and then shortly after, his tail
was over the other side.

Every night where we camped on the shore. Big Tom gathered bundles of
fragrant grass, part of which he gave the ox as provender, and with the
rest he endeavoured to make our surroundings more comfortable and
inviting. He regretted, perhaps as much as we did, our having to travel
so long a time with this great ox so close to us; and yet ere we reached
the end of our journey, it seemed almost a certainty, that what we had
considered an unmitigated nuisance, had been our salvation. One night,
in our anxiety to push on, the Indians decided not to go ashore and
camp, but to sail on all night as the wind was favourable. During the
small hours the wind increased almost to a gale, while dark clouds
obscured nearly every star. Big Tom--hero that he was--stuck to his
post and, nobly aided by his experienced Indians, under close-reefed
sail, sped rapidly on