s a marten around he'll catch it."

It was dark when they reached The Jug. Margaret and David were quite
excited when they heard the story of the adventure, and mighty pleased
with its ending.

"'Twere a stray pack," said David, "and they were hungry. Pop had a
pack come at he that way once, but they just took one of the dogs and
ran off."

A wonderful Christmas they had at The Jug that year. Doctor Joe had no
end of surprises stowed away in mysterious boxes that he had brought
from New York and deposited in his old cabin at Break Cove. He and
David brought them over with the dogs on Christmas eve, and on
Christmas morning they were opened.

The one disappointment of the day was the failure of Thomas to be with
them. He had suggested at the time he departed for the Seal Lake
trails in the autumn that he might come out of the wilderness for
additional provisions at Christmas time, but it was a long and tedious
journey, and they knew it was one he would hardly undertake unless
pressed by need.

Christmas holiday week was always one of celebration at the Hudson's
Bay Company's Post. At this time trappers and Indians emerged from the
silent wilderness to barter their early catch of furs and to purchase
fresh supplies; and on New Year's eve it was the custom of the men and
women of the Bay to gather at the Post for the final festivities. All
day long sledge load after sledge load of jolly folk appeared to take
part in the great New Year's eve dance, and to enter into the shooting
contests and snowshoe and other races on New Year's day.

Eli and Mark Horn drove their team in at The Jug just at dinner time
on New Year's eve, and Eli invited Margaret to go on with them and
visit Kate Hodge, the daughter of the Post servant.

"We'll be short of lasses at the dance, and we needs un all," said
Eli.

"I'd like wonderful well to go," said Margaret wistfully.

"Go on," urged Doctor Joe. "You'll have a good time and the boys and I
will make out famously here. You get away seldom enough and see too
few people. 'Twill do you good, lass."

"Aye, come on now!" Eli urged. "We'll take you over snug and warm in
our komatik box. Kate'll be wonderful glad to see you, and we'll bring
you back the day after New Year."

"I'll go," Margaret consented, her eyes dancing with pleasure.

"And there'll be no prettier lass there," said Doctor Joe gallantly,
which brought a blush to Margaret's cheek and caused Eli to chuckle.

Margaret h