orning. I say,
how that dog has come round!"

For the great shaggy brute had walked to the door to meet him, with his
bushy tail well curled-up, and a keen look of returning vigour in his
eyes and movements.

"Yes," said Dallas; "I never thought he'd live. But I say, Bel persists
in going with us, and I'm sure he'll break down."

"Well, that doesn't matter, my son. If he does we'll make him sit
astride of the load as we come back, and each take a rope, and give him
a ride home."

"I shall be able to walk," said Abel stoutly.

"Very well," said Dallas. "You always were the most obstinate animal
that ever breathed."

The breakfast was eaten, pistols and cartridges placed in their belts,
rifles taken down from their hooks, and the fire banked up with big logs
that would last to their return; and then Dallas took up one of the
skin-lined sleeping-bags.

"What's that for?" said Abel suspiciously.

"For you to ride back in."

Abel made an angry gesture. "I tell you I'm better," he said sharply.

"Well, never mind if you are, my son," said Tregelly quietly. "You must
get tired, and if you are you'll be none the worse for a ride, but a
good deal so if you get your toes frosted again."

"Very well, make a child of me," said Abel, and he gave way. "Have we
got all we want?"

"Better take something for a bit of lunch before we start back,"
suggested Dallas.

"Nay-y-ay!" cried the Cornishman, "there's plenty yonder, and we may as
well carry some of it back inside as out."

"Come on, then," said Dallas, and he strode to the door, when, to the
surprise of all, the dog uttered a deep bark and sprang before them.

"Oh, come, that won't do," cried Dallas. "You've got to stop and mind
the house."

The dog barked fiercely, and rose at the door upon its hind-legs.

"Yes, he had better stay," said Abel; "we mustn't leave the place
unprotected. Let's slip out one by one."

"I don't know," said Tregelly thoughtfully; "he has evidently made up
his mind to go with us, and if we shut him in alone he'll be wild and
get springing about, and perhaps knock the fire all over the place.
Don't want to come back and find the shanty burned up."

This remark settled the matter, and they started out into the keen dark
morning, the dog, after bounding about a little and indulging in a roll
in the snow, placing himself by the trace as if drawing, and walking in
front of the empty sledge which Tregelly was dragging.

"Might