not yet ready to leave for the interior with the
supplies for the trading posts, Mr McTavish readily consented to
another excursion, quietly observing that the return of a few such well-
loaded canoes would add materially to the fort's supply of food.

This second excursion was to be to a more distant place, where were some
favourite feeding grounds of wild geese. They are very fond of a
jointed quill-like grass, and when once they have found where their
favourite food grows, there they resort in great numbers, and unless
very persistently hunted will keep in the neighbourhood until they have
about eaten it all.

As the distance was so great, it was decided to make an all day trip of
it, and so two canoes were requisitioned with two experienced Indians in
each, one of whom, of course, was Ooseemeemou. To him the boys had
become very much attached, and, as he had some knowledge of English,
they were able to get a good deal of reliable information from him.
Some food and kettles were taken along with them, and old Ooseemeemou
put in the bottom of each canoe a good-sized oilcloth and a couple of
blankets, saying, as he did so, "Fine weather to-day, may not be so very
long."

Frank and Alec were given good places in one of the canoes, and Sam was
placed in charge of the other two Indians. Each boy was furnished with
two guns and plenty of ammunition. Being eager to get to the hunting
grounds, they each selected a paddle, and were found to be not
unskillful in the use of them, even in birch canoes, after a few lessons
from their Indian attendants.

With the best wishes of all who were not too busy to come down to the
launch to see them off, they started on their excursion under the
skillful, steady strokes of the Indians. Aided by the boys, they were
able to make about seven miles an hour, and so in about three hours they
reached their destination. The splendid exercise and the bracing air
gave them all good appetites, and so they pulled up in a secluded little
bay, where was to be found some dry wood. Here a fire was kindled, the
kettles were filled with water and boiled, and soon a good, substantial
meal of the delicacies of the country were spread before them. What the
bill of fare was we know not, except that the principal part consisted
of some of the ducks shot on the previous excursion. The dinner thus
prepared and eaten on the rocks was much enjoyed by the boys; but they
were kept in a perpetual state of