g" who had murdered his brother.

"Come," said he, "you that were so brave at Babine Lake, and danced
round the body of him whom you did not face, but knocked down when his
back was to you, now is your time to show yourselves _men_."

No one answering the challenge, he shouldered his gun, walked along
the beach to his canoe, and paddling leisurely off from the shore,
sang the Cree song of triumph.

CHAPTER XX.

APPOINTED TO THE CHARGE OF FORT GEORGE--MURDER OF MR. YALE'S
MEN--MYSTERIOUS LOSS OF MR. LINTON AND FAMILY--ADVENTURES OF LEATHER
PARTY--FAILURE OF CROPS--INFLUENZA.

In the beginning of September, Mr. Ogden arrived from Fort Vancouver,
and I was appointed by him to the charge of Fort George, whither I
proceeded forthwith. Mr. Linton, my predecessor, was directed to wait
the arrival of the party sent to Jasper's house for a supply of
leather, ere he took his departure for Chilcotin, an outpost of Fort
Alexandria.

Fort George was established a few years ago, and passed through the
bloody ordeal ere yet the buildings were completed. The gentleman in
charge, Mr. Yale, had left his men at work, and gone on a visit to
Fort St. James, where he only remained a few days; on his return he
found his men had been treacherously murdered by the Indians during
his absence. Their mangled bodies were found in one of the houses,
with one of their own axes by their side, which evidently had been the
instrument of their destruction. The poor men were in the habit of
retiring to rest during the heat of the day, and were despatched while
they slept.

A great change has come over this people since that time; they are now
justly considered the best disposed and most industrious Indians in
the district. The situation of the post is exceedingly dreary,
standing on the right bank of Frazer's River, having in front a high
hill that shades the sun until late in the morning, and in the midst
of "woods and wilds, whose melancholy gloom" is saddening enough. Yet
it has its _agremens_, its good returns,--the _ne plus ultra_ of an
Indian trader's happiness,--its good Indians, and its good fare; the
produce of the soil and dairy.

Poor Linton had remained with me till late in autumn; when the cold
weather setting in with unusual rigour, the ice began to drift on the
river, rendering the navigation already dangerous; and no accounts
having been received of the leather party, he determined to embark for
his destination without f