IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 :pi* Ilia I.I I M ■ 40 IM 11 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 .4 6" — ► %/' A 'S '^1 'W °w V f. v.- • Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 m.. <. C . "'^o fA \ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiquds ci-dessous. D D D □ Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagde Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pelliculde I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I oloured maps/ Cartes gdographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleuti ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Reli6 avec d'autres documents D D D ./ D n Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagdes Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pelliculdes Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages ddcolordes, tachetdes ou piquies Pages detached/ Pages d^tachdes Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of print varies/ Qualit^ indgale de I'impression Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementaire U □ Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intCrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout^es lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lorsque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas dt6 filmdes. n Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont dt6 filmdes d nouveau de fa^on d obtenir la meilleure image possible. D Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmd au taux de reduction indiqud ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X SOX Y 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X lire details ues du : modifier ger une fiimage 6es The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Ralph Pickard Bell Library Mount Allison University The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility uf the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate, :^ll other original copies are filmed beginning ut. the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —^^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce d la g6ndrosit6 de: Ralph Pickard Bell Library Mount Allison University Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de l'exemplaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de fiimage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimSe sont filmds en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole —»- signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmSs d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sjp^rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de Iiaut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n^cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent \u mdthode. f errata d to It le pelure, ;on d n 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mount Allison University Ralph Pickard Bell Library 0.^ Z.-^. & "^vt^ ' "Mr' THE THREE TRAPPERS. A STORY OF Jllibcntttre in the 5Itili55 ot Canalia. BY ACHILLES DAUNT. \,i\"i i -ri I With Jllustrations. Jij:0nli an: T. XELSOX AND SONS, PATERNOSTER ROW. EDINBURGH; AND NEW YORK. I > Mount Allison University Ralph Pickard Ben Library i« I J ^vcfarc. -** — ^i -I 'HE writer wishes to point out that, althoiigli the incidents whicli lie has introduced into tlio followino' pages are such as mio-]it be supposed likely enough to occur some years since, the advance of civilization has already rendered them inajipropriate to the earlier scenes of the story. There is, for example, now-a- days no danger of being waylaid by Blackfeet near the Forks of the Saskatchewan. The buftalo has become almost extinct. A few scattered herds still survive among the foothills and parks of the Rocky ]\Iountains, but such scenes as that on page "90 are things of the past. Ceaseless, senseless slaughter has at last reduced the once innumerable herds of buffa- loes to a straggling handful. It is a question if more than one herd now exists in tlie United States. As regards the other game -animals mentioned in the story, their numljers are not yet sensibly diminished; and probably for many years to come they will tempt the sportsman to follow them amid the grim VI rnEFACK. solitudes of plain and mountain. Such characters as Jake are, like the beaver and l)iiffalo, Ijecomino- scarce. But occasionally an original of the type turns up. The guides of the present day, such as Oregon Bill, are a very difl'erent class to the rude, nncivilized trappers of the past generation. They "do tlie thing in style," and will cater for their employer as well as house him in a comfortable wacfcfon, so that l)e c-'ame never so vscarce, the sportsman will not feed the less daintily. Under this system much of the romance of the old days has departed. But, on the other hand, its atlvantages arc evident. After all, an empty platter is not to be preferred to a full one ; and the sportsman seeks health and recreation in the wilder- ness, not starvation. ft ©fontcuts. ^9 CHAPTER I. THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY-TIIE SASKATCHEWAN-TUE TIIKEE TUArPERS- A CAMI--T1IE AVOLVEKINE AND WAPITI-A SUITEU INTERRUPTED-DIS- APPEARANCE OF THE WAPITI— DEATH OF THE WOLVERINE 13-27 CHAPTER II. rOREST LIFE -PIERRE'S MORNING HUNT - PARTRIDOE DANCE - NATURAL HISTORY OF THE PRAIRIE HEN-DESTRUCTION OF GAME IN AMERICV- .TOURNEY RESUMED -THE TRUMPETER SWAN-PIERRe's ESCAPE-AP- PEARANCE OF THE INDIAN-PIERRE'S RUSE-DEATH OF THE INDIAN- PIERRE's ACCOUNT OF THE SWANS OF AMERICA 26-48 CHAPTER III. FIOHT BETWEEN PRONG-HORN BUCKS- PIERRE SHOOTS BOTH-APPROACH TO THE "forks" of the Saskatchewan— forest scenery— sudden ALARM — THE ATTACK — THE FATAL SHOT HENRI'S DEATH— THE BURIAL DEFEAT OF THE SAVAGES — 49-Gl CHAPTER IV. .V'lLDERNESS LIFE-ENEMY LEFT BEHIND-THE OWL AND THE SWAMP HARE- CONVERSATION ON THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY-THE ANIMALS FRE- QUENTING IT-THE COUGARS-DEATH OF A " PAINTER "-PIERRE's AO COUNT OF THE COUGAR— HIS ADVENTURE 62-72 CHAPTER V. SUDDEN ARRIVAL-OLD JAKE MAKES HIS APPEARANCE-A SHOOTING MATCH -OLD JAKE'S SKILL WITH THE RIFLE -HIS HISTORY- EMIGRATES TO OREGON-JOURNEY ACROSS THE PLAINS-STALKING ANTELOPES-INDIAN ATTACK-DEATH OF JAKE's PARirVTS-HARD TIMES-REACHES OREGON- Vlll CONTL'NTS. LKAVKS THE UTMIlEU-TnADE— BFX'OMES A FIIKK TltAPrEIl— (HUFF EVANS— JAKE .KtlNH Tin; I'A IITY— <,H AN((E IN THE KEATIKEH OF THE COUNTltY— IIUKIALOES— lll'.TKEAT TO THE (;ANoE— A VAST IIEUD— UUFKALO HUNT IN A CANOE— WOLVES— UUMl' KIllS FOU SUl'l'EU— SATIETy AND IlEPOSE.. 73-103 CHArTKU VI. AintlVAL AT CIIESTEKFIEM) HOUSE— JAKE FINDS OLD Af'QUAINTANCES— DE- I'AUTUUE FKOM HOUSE— JAKE's SYSTEM OF MOKAMTY— ANTELOPES— OLD JAKE MAKES A SUCCESSFUL STALK lOi-117 CUAI'TEll VII. JAKE's ACCOUNT OF THE AVONDEUS OF THE FAR WEST— THE COUNTKY ASSUMES A NEW ASPECT — AUID I'LAINS — AUTEMISIA— OKIZZLY BEARS- llAUL- TIEU'S IMPRUDENCE— PURSUED liY A (iRIZZLV— DEATH OF THE BEAR- CAMP llS-131 CHAPTER VTir. NOCTURNAL ALARM— STRANGE SCENE— EEAItS BURYINO THEIR DEAD COM- RADE—THE I'ARTY DISCOVERED— A RACE FOR LIFE- OLD JAKE INTllO- DUCEH PLUMCENTRE TO THE (iRIZZLV— FLKIHT OF THE SURVIVOR- SOME ACCOUNT OF THE GRIZZLY BEAR — JAKE's ADVENTURES WITH GRIZZLIES 132-145 ClIArTER IX. JAKE ARRIVES IN CAMP WITH THE SKIN OF THE BEAR— LEAVE CAMP— DIS- TANT PEAKS OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS— INDIANS— THE ATTACK— THE HUNTERS TAKE REFUGE IN A CAVE — JAKE's PLAN — A STORM— THE ESCAPE— THE TABLES TURNED — THE HUNTERS ATTACK THE INDIANS— THE FIGHT- JAKE WINS HIS TOBACCO 146-161 CHAPTER X. BIO-HORNS- THE APPROACH— JAKE's SUCCESS— A GOOD SHOT- THE BIO-HORN— WOLF-SHOOTING— Pierre's adventure avith the Indians— he owes HIS ESCAPE to their LOVE OF FIRE-WATER— A CATASTROPHE— THE ROOM IN ELAME.S— FATAL EFFECTS AMONG THE INDIANS 162-178 CHAPTER XI. DIFFICULTIES OF THE ROUTE — A PORTAGE— THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS — NEW COUNTRY — STREAMS AND GROVES— JAKE'S OPINIONS ON FARMERS AND FARMING — BUFrWLOES— ELK— MOCK ENCOUNTERS — STALKING THE GAME — GAULTIER'S ADVENTURE — LOST IN THE FOREST — WEIRD NOISES IN THE WOODS — OAULTIEB SEES THE REFLECTION OF THE CAMP-FIRE ON THE SKY— GUIDED BY IT, HE REGAINS THE CAMP 179-19.") ir i ?1 n)N'n:xTs'. riLVrTER XII. WOOm ON FIRF— LRAVR fAMl'-A lIAI/l-l'llAiniK noOH— A DOO-TOWN— KX- CITr,.MKNiA-MON(( TliK DOliS— A UAiTLKSNA KE— (lAULTIKU's ATTACK uN |||K DOOS— A HKAR— PLUMC'ENTltK MIMSKS FIKK— (lAin/IIKR MIOoTS TIlK IlKMi —TIIK CANOE HAS A NAIUKnV KhCA I'E—TllE I'AllTV MAKECA.Ml'.. I'JO-JUU CilAl'TEK XIII. THE IMtAiniE DOU— DIFFERENT VARIETIES— HTRIKIXn VIEW— THE IlfNTEHH MAKE AN AMBUSH— ME IN WAIT FOR THE COVOTES— (iHAY W(.LVi:.s— EACH HLNTER HECUllES A WOLF~A (iUIZZI.Y AMIIUSHEU— ANIKH-ATION — HK AIUUVES— IN FOR IT-THE FIOHT— ClAULTIEIl's ESCAPE— DEATH OP THE BE.iVR. 207--J-JO CHAPTER XIV. THE PARTY IIALT-HUN-DRYING THE HIDES-LEAVE CAMP-VOYAOEITRS-JAKK MKETH AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE— DIFFICLTLTIES OF THE ROUTE-THE BULL POUND— LEAVE THE SASKATCHEWAN— AN EXPLORINd EXCURSION —RAVINES— SPLENDID VIEW — THE TRAPPERs' HOME — OAULTIER AD- HEKES TO HIS OWN OPINION-THE CONSEQUENCES-IN A FIX-A TUltKEY RUZZARD— UNPLE.UJANT PREDICAMENT— HELP ARRIVEiS 221-234 CIIArTER XV. GAME PLENTIFUL-LEAVE BRITISH TERRITORY-MONTANA-FORESTS- HA I! D WORK— A HALT-DISMAL SCENE— DIFFICULTIES OF THE ROUTE-PLAlN SAILING AGAIN— A BEE-HUNT— JAKE's MODUS OPEIiANDI— FINDS THE HIVE— APPROACHING THE END OF THE JOURNEY-GLOOMY STREAM— ghost's RIVER-A portage- a PRETTY STREAM— A LAKE— CAMP— SUNSET —AN EVENING STROLL NEAR CAMP—" PAINTERS " 235-248 CHAPTER XVI. A LOG-nUT— A LABORIOUS TASK— FURNITURE— GAME— PIERRE MAKES A GOOD SHOT AND VICTUALS THE CAMP— AN EXCURSION IN SEARCH OF BEAVER— A REAVER DAM-THE HUNTERS REAP A RICH HARVEST— SETTLE DOWN IN THEIR HI;T— THE END 24!)-".-(i i iiist of 3Ellu5tcatiaiKi. \9 -M- roRTAOK ON (inosT's nrvEn, BCENE OX THE .SASKATCHEWAN, THE CAMP, CAUOIIT IN THE KAI'IU, OLD JAKK, E.MJCIIIANT.S CIIOSSINU TIIK ]MyAIN.S, I'KAIiaE Ol.' THE .SASKATiHKWAN, A HUDSON JUy EOKT, .. FOREST IN THE NOIlTH-WEsT, CUIITEWA INDIANS, BEAVER DAM, • • Irontisinece • • 15 •■ 2S • • 30 •• 75 •• 81 •• 05 •• 105 • • 110 •• 171 , , 253 l» I \9 THE THEEE TrtArPEPtS. -♦♦- •» CHAPTER I. TIIK NOIITII-WEST TEURITORY— TlIK SASKATCHEWAN— TIIK TIIUEK TliAri'Ens— A (AMI'— THE Wor.VKItINK AVO WAI'ITI— A SUl'l'EU INTEIIUUI'TEU— HIS- AI'TEAUANCE OP THE WAI'ITI— DEATH oF THE WOI.VEKINE. lESTWART), towards the settinu^ sini, across tlie vast prairies of the North-West Ter- ritory, beyond lakes and rivers uitliout nimdjcr, lies a land which even to this day is imperfectly known to the geographer. This region, which on most maps is represented hy a blank, is the country of the Blackfeet, a fierce and dangerous tribe, who have hitherto maintained their independence partly by the natural inaccessibility of their country, and partly by their having abjured the deadly " lire-water" of the whites. This vast expanse of territory is walled in on the west by the giant chain of the Rocky Mountains, whose serrated peaks, covered with the snow which never melts, raise themselves amonc!" the clouds, their rouo-h sides shaggy with forests — the home of the bear, the pan- 14 THE HOME OF THE BLACKFEET. tlier, the wolf, the mountain sheep or " big-horn," and many a vakiable fur-bearing animal besides. To the south the country of the Blackfeet may be said to extend to the head-waters of the Missouri, and novLhwards to the Upper Saskatchewan, while to the east these savagc^s liave often roamed in pur- suit of the elk and the bufl'alo as far as long. 105°. The hardy employes of tlic Hudson Bay Com- pany have established trading-posts on the outskirts of this vast territory, and exchange, for the skins of the wild animals which the Indians brino* to their forts, powder, lead, blankets, guns, and the various other articles needed by the savages. It is at one of these blockhouses, or forts, that our story opens. Spring had already relaxed uhe iron grasp which winter had laid upon the country. The woods and prairies wer^^ enamelled with millions of sweet-smell- ing flowers, bees buzzed to and fro, while the air re- sounded with the chirp of crickets and of multitudes of birds. Already, too, the phalanxes of wild geese streamed along the sky, returning to their breeding- places far within the Arctic Circle from the southern prairies and the marshes of the Gulf States where they had passed the winter. Everything spoke of returnino; summer. In front of Finlay House, as this trading-post of the Hudson Bay Company is called, upon the broad waters of the Saskatchewan, may be observed a canoe of birch-bark swiftly leaving the small cove which 1 1 MM] SCENE ON THE SASKA «*v: \^ SCENE ON THE SASKATCHEWAN. /'/,,• /./ ' ( > ♦ '. -'--3FV THE THREE TRAPPERS. 19 serves the fort as a harbour, and heading np-streani. It is paddled by two young men, one at the bow, the other at the stern ; these are evidently on the sunny side of twenty. Another, apparently a few years older, sits amidships, reclining against a pile of Mac- kinaw blankets and buffalo robes. Let us examine these voyageurs a little more closely. He who sits amidships, from his apparent seniority, is entitled to our first attention. His age is about twenty-three, but many a deadly encounter with wild animals or wilder men has stamped his features with a serious and determined air, which makes him appear somewhat older. The corners of his eyes are " crow-footed," and his gaze is searching and steady, quite unlike the glance of one accustomed to the settlements. It is an expression peculiar to the mountain men and hunters of these wild rco-ions. This peculiarity of expression is shared, though in a lesser degree, by his two companions. His features are pleasing and open, and liabitual good humour lurks around the corners of his mouth, notwithstand- ing that the lips are thin and the jaw heavy. His hair, where his coon-skin cap permits it 'eft be seen, appears dark, almost black, and is closely cut ; for as our young hunter is now bound on a journey through regions where barbers are as yet unknown (if we except the scalping Redskins), he had taken the pre- caution of having his hair closely trimmed Ijefore leaving the fort. His dress is that of the ordinary 20 THE THREE TRAPPERS. mountain trapper, but being new is nuich more smart, and is as yet free from the stains with wliicli, a little later, a hunter's life will diversify it. By his side lies his rifle, a fourteen-shot Winchester repeater, a weapon of priceless value in these wild countries, and with wliich our young hunter can hit "plum- centre" with any of the mountain men themselves. His companions are similarly armed and equipped. Of these, one is dark-complexioned, the other fair ; both are stoutly formed, and are evidently of a build well suited to their callino-. Secured to the waists of all three, by broad belts, are handsome cartridge- pouches, that of the elder being made from the skin of the Canada otter, witli Haps made from the neck and head of tlie wood duck ; his companions' being made from allii^ator leather, ornamented with the stained quills of the porcupine. At the belt each wears a six-shot Colt revolver, balanced on the other side by a broad and thin-bladed butcher knife, secured in a sheath of alligator leather. Behind each may be observed a small and beautifully polished steel axe, the curved hickory handle hanging downwards. Their lower limbs are encased in len'ofino-s of deer- hide, smoked and softened to the texture of cloth, the seams fringed by strips of the leather itself, min- gled with a finer and darker substance, which might be human hair. Three fine bold fellows are these. Their free and piercing glances hover all around — in front, behind, and on either side — in ([uest of enemy (091) IN A VOYAGE UP-SrnEAM. 21 * .'■i M or of o-aine, fis tlicir lii^'ht craft, iiupcllccl l>y sinewy arms, ilies iip-strcain, the foam cresting against the bows, and tlie wasli threatening to overleap the low gmiwale. French Canadians tliey are, and cousins. The eldest is know^n by the pseudonym of Pierre au Calumet, from an adventure which once befell him at the fort of that name. His companions are well know^n in " the trade" although so young, and I have no doubt that to many a trapper are familiar the names of Gaultier I'Aio'le and Henri Labiche. I have said that the bows of the canoe pointed up- stream. The young travellers are on a long and perilous journey — a journey of which dwellers in cities and in civilized communities can scarcely realize the nature. Their destination is the far-distant region round the head-waters of the Bull Pound River, where they intend to camp, and trap the streams which issue from the wild canons of the Rocky Mountains. Perilous and difficult as is their journey, they seem in high spirits, and as the light boat glides along, the Canadian boat-sono; floats ashore — " Row, brothor.s, row, tho stream runs fast, The rapids are near, and the daylight's past." It wanted but an hour of evening w^hen Pierre exclaimed to his companions — " I say, boys, it's time to camp. We've done an lionest day's paddling, and yonder lies the spot for camp — wood and water at hand. There's grass too," he added, laughing; "but I guess our horse ain't (C91) ' 2 I ! oo ()N SIfOnE. peckish, though she docs take in a stomachful with us three follows and onr traps !" Gaulticr and Henri botli laughed as they secured the canoe to the bank by liolding on to a branch, while Pierre stepped ashore and assisted his com- panions in getting out the cargo. This done, the canoe was carefully lifted from the water and turned bottom up to dry. This j^recaution preserves the bark in good condition, as well as renders the early part of the succeeding day's paddling much easier, as the canoe, being dry, is much lighter, and is impelled with less exertion. " Now, lads," continued Pierre, whom the others looked on as the captain of the expedition, " look alive with the axe. There's a dozen rampikes on that drowned land ; chop 'em and let's have a fire. I'll start a blaze, and get the meat out." Presently might be heard the merry ringing of the axes and the crash of falling timber, and after a while Henri and Gaultier stao-o-ered to the fire with a donkey load of withered logs and branches, which speedily l:)lazed and crackled, sending up forked tongues which threw a red glare through the sur- roundino; woods, beatino: back the o-loom which had already been advancing from their deep recesses. Soon as the blaze moderated, the camp-kettle bubbled and hissed upon the huge embers, sending forth a savoury odour of cafe noir, while some veni- son ribs which they had brought with them from ^ Pul witli sociirccl brand 1, is coni- )no, the . turned vxs the e early Lsier, as nix'lled others " look ves on a fire. of the 'ter a with which orked sur- 1 had cettle idinof veni- fi'om mmMm lllilP ii :i illfllilli ■r % H I m O > S :5 Mm' T.:iiiLiii: 111 ri''i' r 1/ i I Jlj M: li I tmnimtmm AN OLD riuivi:i!r. filfillkd. '■9 .^4 the fort speo(lily Ih'^jhi to assumo ,in app(!tizlii<^^ appoaranci^ undcv (Jaulticr's inaiiipulation. CJaultier was, in fact, tlio cook of tlio expedition, having dis- rovcrcd a talent for transforming even th(^ most nnpalatahle-looking articles into a stew, fricassee, or hash which would have tickled tlu; jaded palate of the veriest epicure. The old proverl^, "There's many a slip betwixt Clip and lip," was never more literally fultilled than in the case of our young trappers, who arc just about to take their evening meal, and repose themselves after the labours of the day. Henri was al)Out to help himself to a tin pannikin of the steaming coffee, when an exclamation from Pierre arrested his attention. " Voila," said he, " look there, boys!" pointing towards the river; " there's a buck in the water, and by the way he's swimming there's something the matter with him." All three now bent their eyes upon the stream, in which, and about fifty yards from where they sat, they plainly saw the head and antlers of a noble deer, as he breasted the current obliquely, making almost straight for the camp. It was evident that as yet he had not seen cither the fire or the boys, who quickly seized their rifles, intending to take the buck as he landed, so as to give him the trouble of bringing himself to camp. Scarcely forty yards, however, separated him from the bank, when with a loud snort the animal partly raised himself in the 2C, A .UYsT/:i:y kxplajnkd. ,1 \\ \vat('i', disclosing to tin; astonislicd (»yo.s of tlic pfirty tliu li'^uii; of another animal whicli lay along its l)ack, tlH5 jaws Leing apparently buried in tlio sidc^ of tho buck's nock. Th(3 young hunters gazed upon each other, as if in incjuiry ; and on again looking towards tho water, no trace of either animal remained. Tn vain they looked upon the fast darkening river — notliing to explain their disappearance presented itself. They therefore reluctantly turned towards the lire; but suddenly Pierre, motioning to them to stand still, bent his ear towards the ground, apparently listening intently. Without a word he noiselessly plunged into the bushes, heading obliquely through them for the river bank. His companions gazed silently after him, neither of them altering his position. Presently was heard the crack of a infle, followed by tlie fierce Gfrowlincf of some animal ; another rifle-shot, and Pierre's cheery voice called out, " This way, boys ; here's tho chap to explain the mystery !" Pushing rapidly through the brushwood, they speedily joined their companion, whom they found standing over the carcass of some animal on the ground, whoso hunched and rounded back, shaggy fur, and savage jaws showed him to be the dreaded wolverine. " It was just like him," said Pierre ; " the cowardly brute must have sprung from an overhanging branch upon the buck as it came to water, and the poor, t 4 II UNf.'Ii Y AND Tin h'l). 07 its 1 trrritlol ftiiiiual i)IimL;'t'y tliu s{i\ui;t' beast's tcetlj, and tlio buck bled to deatli wliile s\\ iuiniinjj across tlie river. Anyliow, lot's liavc his hide. Let's raise bis bail", boys." Under the skill'iil knives of our tbreo bunters, tbe wolvej'ine was soon di\'est(>(l of bis sb.'in'ny bitle ; and beariuLj tbis trojtliy, tbey once more returned to tbeir lire. Hero tbey found tbat tbeir venison ribs were burned to a cinder, and tbe coU'ee-kottk^ bavin^* capsized was balf empty. Tbeir supper, tberefore, was a poor one ; and Innij^ay and tired, tbey wrapped themselves in their buffalo robes, and bavini; replen- ished the fire, they lay down with tbeir feet towards it, and soon fell asleep. poor, i.i chaptp:r 11. I h 5 »; i JOIIE.ST ".,IFE— I'TEUIUCS MOUXINni, the settlers even throwing them into the hog-pen in those dis- tricts where no market is at hand for their sale. This "wilful waste" will certainly make "woful want;" and in many regions formerly noted for the nund)ers of these splendid birds it has already done so, as they arc now utterly destitute of even a single covey. It is to be wished that the wicked and indis- criminate slaughter of this game-bird was the only evil of the same kind to be complained of in America. But it is not so; and from the buflalo to the sc[uirrel, the trout to the lordly salmon, the snipe to the wild turkey, a clean sweep is l)eing made through the length and breadth of the land. Laws have, indeed, been passed with a view to the repression of this cruel slaughter ; but in too many districts thoy are a dead letter. There are signs, however, that a better spirit is setting in ; and we doubt not we shall see by-and-by many species of game, which the foolish apathy of the Americans allowed to be all but ex- terminated, fostered and reproduced at considerable trouble and expense. But we have wandered far afield from our young trappers, who, having satiated voracious appetites on the succulent prairie hen, are now about to resume their journey. The canoe is first lifted from the bank and carefully launched, Henri and Gaultier wading into the water for this purpose. The cargo is then replaced, and the three youths stepping in, far 30 THE VOYAGE BESUMKJ). ■J' . ► I ! f' ' ' i 1 1 i 1 i I M Hi bid adieu to the cozy nook in which they liavc passed tho ni'-'ht. o For sonic hours they continued to paddle, gliding swiftly along now one bank and then the other in search of game; for the half-dozen birds wliich Pierre had shot only furnished them with a breakfast. They were therefore under tho necessity of hunting for their food; for the biscuits and bacon which they had brought Avith them from tlie fort they looked on as a sort of reserve supply, only to be eaten in case no game presented itself. They passed the months of several streams which fall into tlie Saskatchewan from the north. The banks of the river itself becaine more and more wooded as they approached the " Forks," until soon they found themselves sailing along between tall forests which clad the swellincf hills on each side of the broad river. When passing the embouchure of a stream which joined the main river, Pierre's quick eye suddenly fell upon the figure of a large swan of the trumpeter species, wdiich was just at that instant rounding a bend in the river. As yet the bird had not observed the canoe, beino- intent on feedino; amonsc a mass of floating Aveed which covered the surface of the water. Instantly the ** way" of the canoe was stopped, and Pierre, seizing his gun, was in the act of sighting, when the sharp crack of a rifle was heard from the woods, and the swan, with a loud houk, attempted to ^ ' )tlior ill h Pierre eakfast. iimting ell tlioy )kcd on in case I which . The I more il soon n tall side of which denly ij^eter ing a erved iss of ater. ,and itinnf, the )d to I 4 !'//:/! RE'S ESCAPE. 37 rise into tlie air, but fell Ijack and floated dead npon the river. So sudden and unexpected was the occurrence that none of the youths could repress a cry of astonishment. At the same moment another rifle cracked among the trees on the northern shore, and a lock of hair fell from Pierre's temple, cut by the whistling bullet. " To the south shore, boys!" cried he; "it's Indians!" A few nervous strokes of the padp out of sig'ht Itehind the bushes. Put your rol)e on the pad