ever forget.

When the morning arrived the old fellows were there in good time, and
the ordeal, which was to-day to be by bullet, was decided upon.

The conjurer selected for the ordeal had not proceeded far in his talk
before he asked to see laid down at his wife's feet his pay. This was
brought out and measured to his satisfaction, with the understanding
that it was not to be his unless he succeeded.

His preparations were soon completed. Aided by his comrades, a small
conjuring tent was made by sticking some long green limber poles in the
ground, and bending them over like bows until the other ends were also
made fast in the earth. Then over these poles a skin tent, made by
sewing a number of dressed deerskins together, was thrown. Taking his
medicine bag and magic drum into this tent, the conjurer disappeared.
Soon the monotonous drumming began. In addition there were heard the
barks and howls and cries of nearly all the animals of the forest and
prairies. The sounds were like that proceeding from a wild beast show
when all the animals are let louse and are uttering their discordant
notes. The tent quivered as though in a cyclone. Thus, for a time it
went on--the drum beating, the beasts howling, the tent quivering--until
it seemed utterly inexplicable how one man, could create such a din.

Among the boys, Sam was most excited at these strange proceedings. Much
to the amusement of those around, he said:

"I'm thinking the safest place would be on the top of the house, if all
those reptiles should break loose."

The conjurer now began crying out in his own language: "To help me he is
coming, my own familiar spirit. Soon the bullet cannot pierce me; soon
waters cannot drown me; soon fires cannot burn me. To help me he is
coming! coming! coming!"

Thus on he went, while the drumming and howlings were almost incessant.

Mr Ross, who had resolved that there should be no nonsense, had asked
one of his servants, who was an unerring shot, to do the firing. In the
meantime one of the conjurer's associates had asked to see the gun that
was to be used, and kindly offered to load it. The suspicions of Mr
Ross were at once aroused by this request, but wishing to see through
the man's trick he did not oppose his request. Soon after a good gun
was sent for, and also some powder and bullets. Full measure of powder
was poured into the gun, and the usual wadding was well driven down upon
it. When Mr Ross selec