think of continuing our journey that night, so
the Indians pressed us to remain with them till the next morning;
promising to ascertain the direction taken by the pack of wolves, so
that we might not run the risk of again falling in with the hungry
brutes.

Kepenau would not allow us to use our own provisions,--observing that we
might want them the next day,--and he insisted on supplying us with
everything needful.

We slept soundly, but when I tried to get up next morning I felt little
able to continue the journey. I did not so much feel the effects of the
exercise as of the anxiety I had so long endured. Even Uncle Mark was
very stiff, and seemed inclined to enjoy a longer rest.

The Indians told us that during the night the wolves had come back;
probably to devour the carcasses of their slain companions. It was
thought probable that they had returned up the river. One of the men
went out to ascertain this, and on coming back told us that the first
surmise was correct--that the pack had indeed gone up the river, but
that it had afterwards gone down again, as was evident from the bloody
marks left by their feet.

Suddenly my uncle exclaimed: "By-the-by, Mike will be on his way home
some time to-day; and if so, it is more than possible that he may fall
in with the wolves! Though he has a gun, it will go hard with him
should they follow his trail."

My uncle accordingly expressed his fears to Kepenau.

"Then we must set out to meet your white friend," said the Indian; "for
should he be coming over the ice to-day, the wolves are certain to espy
him."

Mike had told me that he would visit our Indian friends on the way, and
spend the night with them, should he start too late to perform the whole
distance in one day. The recollection of this increased my apprehension
for his safety.

Kepenau said that he and four of the best-armed of his people would set
out early in the afternoon to look for our friend. Of course, we
insisted on accompanying them; and being pretty well rested, we started
at the hour proposed. We put on our skates, but the Indians kept pace
with us by running.

We went on and on, but no sign could we see of Mike. It was already
getting dusk when Kepenau stopped and examined the ice.

"A man has passed this way," he said, "and has turned off to the right."

Telling one of his people to follow up the trail, he proceeded onwards,
narrowly scrutinising the ice.

"It is as I thought," he