t all de camp
jigging."

"Och, botheration! but the Ridskins have got it--bad luck to the
spalpeens! and sorra a one of thim can play a tune, or I would not mind
it so much," answered Mike.

"But you must try to get him back," observed Quambo; "if dey not play on
him, dey not want him."

"I'm mighty afraid it's burned, though," said Mike, with a sorrowful
countenance.

When Uncle Mark heard of Mike's loss, he told Kepenau and Manilick. The
latter had that day paid a visit to the chief. They were both of
opinion that should the fiddle be in existence, it might, by proper
diplomatic proceedings, be recovered; and, greatly to Mike's joy,
Manilick undertook to ascertain what had become of it, and, if possible,
to restore it to its owner.

CHAPTER EIGHT.

UNCLE MARK'S CANOE--OUR START FOR HOME--THE RATTLESNAKES--MIKE LONGS FOR
HIS FIDDLE--OUR NIGHT ENCAMPMENT--JACQUES LEROCQUE'S FISHING JOKE--
MIKE'S TERROR AT THE SUPPOSED INDIAN AMBUSCADE--THE PHANTOM BEAR--OUR
ARRIVAL AT HOME--KAKAIK AND THE FIDDLE--MIKE'S DELIGHT--KEPENAU'S SECOND
VISIT--REUBEN'S CHAGRIN--MR. SIMON SPARK'S ADVENT--HIS GLOWING
DESCRIPTION OF THE FAR NORTH-WEST--THE FOREST ON FIRE--OUR HUT
DESTROYED--OUR ESCAPE.

The canoe in which Uncle Mark had come up had been built by some Indians
on the lake, who intended to dispose of it to the fur-traders; but, in
consequence of some dispute, they had refused to let them have it, and
had thereafter sold it to my uncles at a reduced price.

It was of far superior construction to those we had hitherto seen used,
though of the same materials.

Formed of large sheets of birch-bark, kept in shape by delicate ribs of
lance-wood or willow, it was nearly forty feet in length, and sharp at
both ends; and the seams where the bark was sewn together were covered
by a thick resinous gum, which became hard in the water. Like the small
canoes, it required careful handling; for, having no keel, it was easily
turned over. It was impelled by six or eight paddles,--three or four on
one side, and the same number on the other; one man steering with a
paddle, as well as paddling.

Uncle Mark had come down one river, then across the lake, and up another
river, instead of the shorter route along the course of several narrower
streams with rapids, which necessitated the same number of portages. By
this means he was able to bring a cargo of cottons, cutlery, and other
heavy articles. He purposed returning by the same r