a company thimselves."

This sally of Sam's created roars of laughter, and even the slap he gave
them about their close dealings with the Indians was much enjoyed. Soon
all were on the best of terms, and it was a mutual pleasure, in that
lonely place, to meet and interchange the news of the country, as well
as to have the flashings of wit and fun and pleasant raillery.

Of course the men of the brigade were anxious to get on, as they still
had a journey before them. They had only come from Norway house, a
distance of twenty miles, the previous day. They had started, as was
customary, quite late in the afternoon. The wind was anything but
favourable, and so they were obliged to remain where they had drawn up
their boats. Their old guide, after scanning the heavens and watching
the movements of the different strata of clouds, declared that a fierce
south wind was brewing, and that if they dared to start they would soon
be driven back to that place. This was bad news to all, especially to
the young officers, who were very anxious to get on. They very much
dislike long delays in their journeys. Then it is always in favour of
an officer seeking promotion in the service if it is known that he has a
good record for making speedy trips with his brigades.

Here, however, were reports from one whose word was law; so there was no
help for it, and thus they were here to remain until the wind changed.
As the indication was for high winds, with perhaps heavy rains, orders
were issued for the complete safety of the boats and cargoes. In making
their preparations for a severe storm the crews of two or three of the
boats seized hold of the strong rope which was attached to the stem of
each boat, and by their united strength dragged them, one after another,
well up on the sand, out of the reach of the waves. As there are no
tides in these great American lakes the boats have not to be shifted.
Heavy tarpaulins were carefully lashed down over the cargo, thus
preventing the rain from doing any damage. These precautions turned out
to be quite unnecessary, as the threatened storm either did not appear
or passed round them. Still the wind blew constantly from the south for
a number of days, and thus the brigade was obliged to remain. So long,
indeed, was it detained that the officers had to order the removal of
the cargo from one of the boats and send it back to Norway House for an
additional supply of food.

This delay of the