in. You haven't even a tent."

"Us would make out and the Gover'me't gave us a bit o' flour and tea
and some clodin' (clothing)," harped the woman. "The Gover'me't don't
give un to us. The Gover'me't folks don't care what becomes o' we."

"How are you going to take care of these children this winter?" asked
Grenfell. "You can't feed them and without clothing they'll freeze.
Let us take them with us. We'll give them plenty to eat and clothe
them well."

"Don't be sayin' now you'll let un go!" broke in the mother in a high
voice, turning to the man, who stood mute. "Don't be givin' away your
own flesh and blood now! Don't let un go."

"You can't keep yourselves and these children alive through the
winter. Some of you will starve or freeze," persisted Grenfell.
"Suppose you let us have the two young lads and the little maid. We'll
take good care of them and we'll give you some clothing we have aboard
the vessel, and some flour and tea to start you."

"And a bit o' shot for my gun?" asked the man, showing interest.

"Don't be givin' away your own flesh and blood!" interjected the woman
in the same high key. "'Tis the Gov'me't's place to be givin' us what
we needs, clodin' and grub too."

"I'll let you have one o' th' lads and you lets me have a bit o'
shot," the man compromised.

The sympathetic mate, with no intention of giving the man an
opportunity to change his mind, seized the naked boy nearest him,
tucked the lad, kicking and struggling, under one arm, and started for
the boat, but upon Doctor Grenfell's suggestion waited, with the lad
still under his arm, for developments.

In the beginning, to be sure, Doctor Grenfell had intended to issue
supplies to the man, whether or no. But no matter how much or what
supplies were issued there was no doubt these people would be reduced
to severe suffering before summer came again. He wished to save the
children from want, and to give them a chance to make good in the
world as he believed they would with opportunity.

The oldest boy could be of assistance to his father in the winter
hunting, and he could scarce expect the mother to give up her new-born
baby. Therefore negotiations were confined to a view of securing the
two small boys and the little girl.

Presently, in spite of violent protests from the mother, the father
was moved, by promises of additional supplies, to consent to Grenfell
taking the other boy. And immediately the man had said, "Take un
both," th