is case, however, he
was doubly welcome, for he was a friend of one of the bosses, and the
story soon went the rounds of the entire camp.

"Going to visit us for the winter, Mike?" asked Mr. Latimer, thinking of
the great boon he would be to go about with the children after school
hours. Knowing the forests as he did, he could teach and show them
everything and at the same time prevent any danger from coming to them.

"Mike set traps nex' moon, way up mountain," replied Mike, laconically.

"Mike stay here till time for trap to catch big game!" eagerly came from
Mr. Starr, who sensed part of Mr. Latimer's plan.

"Mike, get much money for time he stay. Mike show little ones all over
woods and teach many good things about everything!" added Mr. Latimer.

By this time the ladies realized what the two men were after, and
abetted the plan with all of their persuasions.

Mike stood uncertain. He smiled down at the children who showed in their
faces how delightful life would be with a real Indian trapper to show
them about the woods, while the ladies urged the proposition
resistlessly, and the men stood waiting expectantly for an answer.

"Mike not make much pelts las' year. Not eat much this year. Mike tink
dis snow make a big pelt time--make much money," explained the trapper.

"Mike take all this money from this day to trapper's day. Mike go to
mountain on trapper day and set traps. Watch much. Get big pelt and come
back soon; Mike make more money here with white man," spoke Mr. Starr,
taking a roll of bills from his pocket and counting out fifty dollars
upon the table, giving Mike to understand that the money was his if he
would remain in camp until December 15, which day was generally
Trapper's Day in the North.

The Indian looked about at the faces and saw only the kindly desire to
have him remain, and his eyes became misty at the unusual welcome from
the white men.

Don and Dot could hardly restrain their impatience to have Mike say
"yes," so Don ran over, took the dark hand of the trapper in both his
and shook it, saying, "Come on, Mike, we want you."

The children all flocked about, coaxing the Indian to remain, until he
smiled and consented to be their guard after school hours. Miss Miller
heaved an audible sigh of relief, for she had had her troubles in the
last two weeks, trying to keep Babs and the twins always in a "safety
circle" beneath her watchful eye.

Cook came in just then and asked a question.