astened her toilet and was ready in a jiffy. She was all
a-flutter with excitement when Eli tucked her in a box rigged on the
rear of the komatik, and wrapped her snugly with caribou skins.

"You must have had it in mind to capture Margaret when you left home,
Eli," Doctor Joe suggested with a twinkle in his eye. "Men don't take
travelling boxes when they go alone."

Eli grinned sheepishly as he broke the komatik loose, and the dogs
dashed away.

It was a dull cold day with a leaden sky, and snow was shifting
restlessly over the ice. The wind was in the south-east, and as they
entered the cabin David remarked:

"There'll be snow before to-morrow mornin'."

When they had eaten supper that evening and cleared the table David
stepped out for a look at the weather, and returning reported:

"'Twill be a nasty night. The snow's started and the wind's risin'.
'Tis wonderful frosty, too, for a wind."

"Let's see how cold it is," said Doctor Joe, stepping out to consult
his spirit thermometer. "Thirty-eight below zero. Frosty enough with a
gale, and a gale's rising," he reported. "I'm glad we're all snug
inside."

"Tell us a story," Jamie suggested, as they settled themselves
comfortably by the fire.

"There's dogs comin'!" Andy broke in.

David ran to the door, and a moment later ushered Eli Horn into the
cabin.

"What's the matter, Eli? Has anything happened?" asked Doctor Joe,
immediately concerned for Margaret's safety.

"Margaret's safe," said Eli with suppressed excitement. "There's
murder at the Post!"

Questions brought forth the fact that Eli and Margaret had reached the
Post at about half-past three and found the people in confusion. Three
lumbermen from Grampus River had come there. There had been a dispute
among them and one of them was stabbed. The other two had immediately
departed, presumably to return to the lumber camps. Eli did not know
how seriously the man was injured. He had not seen him. It had
occurred shortly before his arrival, and at Margaret's suggestion he
had turned directly about and returned to The Jug to fetch Doctor Joe
to attend the injured man.

"My dogs is fagged," said Eli, "and 'twere slow comin' back."

"David will take me over with his dogs. They're fresh, and will travel
faster," said Doctor Joe.

In ten minutes David was ready with the dogs harnessed, and the two
teams drove away into the darkness and storm.

Andy and Jamie were greatly excited. Tragedies enough ha