e matches, would have been terrible;
besides, they would have got our spare hatchets and knives, the
fish-hooks and lines, and all our furs. We don't want the furs for
warmth now, but it would make a deal of difference to our comfort if we
had to sleep on hard boards. I do not know how to feel thankful enough
that we hid the canoe away."

"We could not have gone without our things," Luka said. "We would have
fought them all and killed them rather than lose our tea and tobacco."

Godfrey laughed at his companion's earnestness.

"I think that would have been paying too dearly for them, Luka. Still we
should have missed them badly."

Just as they had finished their meal they saw some black spots ahead of
them close inshore. "I should not be surprised if they have been picking
up those fellows who followed us, Luka. No doubt the man who ran back
would tell them they could do nothing against our arms. But I don't
think they will dare attack us in our boat even if they have got all
the men there. There were only twelve at first, not counting the old men
who were in their camp when we were brought there. You shot one of them,
so there are only eleven, even if they have got on board those who
followed us. I have always heard that they are plucky little fellows,
but I do not think they would be fools enough to attack us on the water.
I feel sure they can't have any intention of doing so. I expect their
original idea was to hover about us night and day, and then, when we
went ashore to get food, to steal the boat and hunt us down. Now they
find we have got a second boat they will see that it is a longer job
than they expected, for they will guess that our real valuables are on
board the boat we hid, and that we may have enough provisions here to
last for some time."

The canoes, as they approached them, sheered off to a distance of a
quarter of a mile, and then gathered together evidently in consultation.
Then they turned and paddled rapidly back again, soon leaving the canoe
and boat far behind.

"I wonder what they are up to now?" Godfrey said; "some mischief I have
no doubt."

"Perhaps more yourts on farther? They might send on a man with fast
reindeer a long way ahead, so that they might attack us with forty or
fifty canoes."

"So they might, Luka. That would be very awkward, and we should be
afraid of landing anywhere. They may pass the news on from camp to camp
for any number of miles. Yes, that is a very serious