out
worthless. One of the Indians, however, pleased him when he said that a
very beautiful ornamental bag could be made of the great sac that hung
down from its enormous bill.

Alec was more successful, and returned soon after Frank with a number of
fine ducks, which he carried hanging around him with their heads crowded
under his belt in real Indian fashion.

The different Indians, who had also gone off hunting, returned one after
another, and so when supper was ready at the camp fire about sunset all
were returned but Sam.

Where was he? Who had seen him last?

These were the questions put, but no one seemed able to give any
satisfactory answer.

As it was supposed he would return any minute, the supper, which
consisted principally of the fish they had caught and game shot, was
eaten and much enjoyed.

Still no signs of Sam. Mr Ross began to feel uneasy, and now, as the
shadows of the coming night were beginning to fall around them, he
called Mustagan and some of the older Indians to him, and asked what had
better be done. Promptly they responded that he must be found ere the
last glimmering light faded away and the auroras began to dance and play
in the northern sky.

"Let us at once get on his trail," said an old Indian, "and we will soon
find him."

So the question was again anxiously asked who had last seen him.

But there was little need for an answer, as Sam, pale, excited, and
panting for breath, suddenly dashed into their midst.

"What is the matter?" said Mr Ross, while all the rest, with intense
interest, waited for his answer.

All poor Sam could say was, "The bear! the bear!" as he lay panting on
the ground.

Mustagan, quick to read signs, was the first to see what had happened,
and so, hastily catching up his gun, and crowding down the barrel a
bullet on the top of the buckshot, with which it was already loaded, he
slipped out from the circle of light around the camp fire, in the
direction from which Sam had come.

Not five minutes was he gone ere the report of his gun rang out. With
all the imperturbable nature of an Indian he returned, and when within
easy calling distance of the camp fire he asked for a couple of Indians
to join him. Quickly they glided away in the darkness. It was not for
a long time, however, that they were required. Soon their voices were
heard asking that additional wood might be thrown upon the fire in order
that they might have a better light. Why they