erance. They investigated the rocks and
boulders, and Mr Ross gave them his ideas as to the formation of the
great prairies of the West, over which he had so often wandered, and
where Sam, Alec, and Frank expected, in a year or so, to spend some
happy months.

To the boys the evening camp fire on the rocks, with the rippling waters
of lake or river at their feet and the dark back ground of unexplored
forest, was always intensely interesting, with its review of the day's
adventures, the picturesque Indians, and preparation for the evening
meal, enjoyed with such glorious appetites. Then, after the sun had
gone down in splendour, and the long twilight began to fade away, the
stars came out of their hiding places, one by one, until the whole
heavens seemed aglow with them, for they shone with a radiance and
beauty that was simply indescribable. Then, if not too tired to wait
for their arrival, how fascinating often were the auroral displays, the
mysterious "northern lights." If they were sleepy and tired, when some
of these field night displays began, they soon forgot their weariness as
they gazed, at times fairly fascinated by the wondrous visions that were
theirs to witness. Never did they see a glorious display exactly
repeated. There was always a kaleidoscopic change; yet each was very
suggestive and beautiful. Sometimes they mounted up and up from below
the horizon like vast arrays of soldiers, rank following rank in quick
succession, arranged in all the gorgeous hues of the rainbow. They
advanced, they receded, they fought, they conquered, they retreated, and
they faded away into oblivion. Then great arches of purest white
spanned the heavens, from which streamers red as blood hung quivering in
the sky. Then, after other transformations, a corona filled the zenith
and became a perfect crown of dancing, flashing splendour that long hung
suspended there above them, a fit diadem, they thought, for the head of
Him who was the creator of all these indescribable glories.

Thus in the beauties of the night visions, and in other sights peculiar
to the North, there were compensations for some of the privations
incident to being so remote from the blessings of civilisation. These
new scenes, both by night and by day, were sources of great pleasure to
the boys, as their tastes were fortunately such that these visions had a
peculiar charm for them. Then, with their full program of delightful
sports, they were indeed