Part 25 (1/2)

Rapidly they sped along, and now soon to all was visible a large tent and a number of persons on the distant sandy beach Sam keenly watched his coetfrom the hands of those to whoood to be true,” said Frank, as he gripped Alec one hand, while with the other he aving his handkerchief wildly in response to those of the loved ones on the shore

Onward sped the boat, and soon all were recognised Here they found all who had left early in the --Mrs Ross and the children and all the htful surprise, and how happy they all were that it had been such a success! Poor Sah it, was the only one to coh to wait until three or four of the big oars were lashed together, to serve as a rude gangway on which to walk safely to the shore but, seeing the ease hich sole oar, in spite of the rocking of the boat, he boldly tried to do the same, and ere he knehere he was he was down in the water, and nearly drowned by a retreating wave under the boat Quickly he was rescued, but he was completely drenched to the skin He was so the worse for the accident But as he was quickly hurried off to the shelter of the tent and dry clothes secured for hi, as he had purposely hurried ashore to ain

And so Frank had the joy of again htful visit they had with theeon oil by a stalwart Indian This is the Indian's drastic rehtfully passed that long June evening It was full eleven o'clock ere the gorgeous colours all died away in the west and the stars one by one came out in their quiet beauty and decked as with diamonds that peerless northern sky After a tiht they seee, but as troops of lovers tripping in joyous unison to some sweet strains of s sat and talked this happy group It was, they well knew, their last evening together, and so aret As the evening darkened into night they had all gathered near the great brilliant careeable even in June nights, no htful events and incidents of the past had been referred to and discussed by all, the conversation turned to the ers that had come to some of them, and their narrow escapes Gratitude to God for theirin their hearts Mr Hurlburt and Mr Ross spoke most impressively on this wonderful providential care that had been over them

The Indians, except those whose duty it was to see to the welfare of their masters and mistresses, were all now asleep Wrapped up each in his blanket, they lay around on the rocks in picturesque places

During the evening all the other boats had arrived froed that if the wind continued favourable they wouldWhen Mr Ross felt that it was tihtful circle he asked Mr Hurlburt to take charge of the devotional service Always hallowed and precious were these sacred hours of worshi+p in the forest or on the shores, and this last one was not less suggestive and profitable First from memory they all repeated the one-hundred-and-third psal the sweet hymn, ”Abide with me,” and at its close Mrs Ross's sweet voice struck up, ”Blest be the tie that binds” Then Mr Hurlburt, the devoted ood man talked with God and co, o, varied journey before theht,” said Mr Ross; ”for wethose who remain behind”

So the tender farewells were uttered, and all the ladies of the party retired to the large, commodious tent that, as we have seen, had been prepared for them Mr Ross, Mr Hurlburt, and the boys went to the ca for them on the dry beach Here the Indians quickly tucked them in, and soon they were fast asleep--so fast that Sam declared when he heard the sharp call, ”Leve! leve!” in thethat he had not had ti preparationsand a hasty breakfast prepared When this was eaten the Christian Indians asked Mr Hurlburt to take charge of theirdevotions This he cheerfully did, and so, as was custolish

Then the cry was, ”All aboard!” The boys--Frank and Alec, wetheir eyes toward the snohite tent in hopes of at least one limpse at two of its inmates They were al out:

”Don't lose heart, irls would surely go to Pekin Sure they are _peekin'_ now, and here they come! Hurrah, and welcome!”

Yes, here they come Love's ears are sharp, and so Rachel and Winnie heard the call to the travellers, and up they had sprung and dressed, and now, radiant and lovely, once reet and say ”Good-bye” again, and ”God be with you till we ain” For a few ain rang out, and so they once ly saluted each other and parted Rachel and Winnie at once returned to the tent Frank and Alec were soon in their places in the boat One after another of the boats pushed off, until the whole little fleet was under way The as favourable, and so it was a pretty sight to see the whole brigade speeding on over the rippling waves with the white sails filled by the northern breeze

Spider Islands were nearly reached ere ood huious He had tried his hand at a big oar, and, ”catching a crab,”

had tumbled back amid some boxes, much to the amusement of all

Thus on they sped At Montreal Point they stopped long enough to boil their kettles, and then their journey was resuood sleep Then next ain At Beren's River they stopped for dinner, then on they sped At the Narrows they saw a great black bear swiht place Some of the boats headed him off, and when he attempted to return he found that others were between hireat and his tean to whistle around him, and these added to his trouble A bear swier he inflates his lungs and raises hirowl, there is very little to fire at The result was, in this case, the flintlock guns did not seem to be able to pierce his skull

Mr Ross, who could not bear to see even a bear tortured, took out his rifle and, loading it, handed it to Big To Toravely said:

”Sam ran away from his first bear, suppose he shoots his last one”

Nothing could please the reckless Sa To for thethe boat so that his head will be right in front of you When I call he will raise his head, and you hit hi in the right position, and as from Tom's lips there was emitted a sound like the call of another bear, the one in the water instantly raised up his head, in a listening attitude Instantly the report rang out, and a dead bear lay there in the water

”Well done, Sa Tom was the proudest man in the boat

The bear was hauled on board by the crew of one of the boats in the rear That night the men skinned the bear, and as rapidly as possible dried the robe, which was carried home to Ireland by Sam with his other trophies

Thus day after day passed Sometimes there was hardly a breath of wind, and then the men rowed all day A couple of days were lost on account of strong head winds, but, on the whole, they had a fairly good trip, for at the end of the tenth day they entered the mouth of Red River and camped on its low, marshy shores, amid its miles of reedy morass and its millions of mosquitoes This was the boys' first experience of theh for a lifeti over us and they prey upon us!”