monstrations of delight and affection from men who ordinarily kept
their feelings very strictly under control.

'And noo awa' tae yer mither--yer poor distracted mither,' broke in Mr.
Macrae, gathering up Ailie and starting towards the place where the
horses were tethered. With long impatient steps he swept over the
ground, and, taking the first horse he came to, put Ailie upon the
saddle before him, and galloped off for the encampment, where, with
brimming eyes and trembling lips, he placed the child in the mother's
arms, saying softly: 'Praise God, Mary, oor bairnie's given back to us.'

The winter came soon after this, and it was well for the Highland folk
that they had at home been inured to the cold, for Jack Frost certainly
did not spare them at Pembina.

The clear, dry atmosphere misled them at first. They would not realize
how cold it really was, until nose or cheeks were nipped. And more
than one of them had a narrow escape from being frozen to death.

Yet, upon the whole, the winter passed quite comfortably, albeit the
question of food sometimes became a pressing one, when the hunters had
been unsuccessful for a time.

One day, Narcisse, who took a lively interest in Hector, rushed to tell
him that a great moose had been seen in the woods to the north, and
that he was going out next day to hunt for him. He invited Hector to
go with him.

Of course, the boy jumped at the invitation, and, his father not
objecting, for he had considerable confidence in Narcisse, arrangements
for the enterprise were made at once.

CHAPTER XII

The Moose Hunt

Mr. Macrae allowed Hector to take Dour and Dandy, and, as Narcisse had
two good dogs of his own, they were well provided. The only other
member of the party was Narcisse's half-brother, Baptiste, not equal to
him in intelligence and experience, but a strong and good-natured
fellow, who would take his share of work or danger.

They took a horse apiece, not to ride, for of course they travelled on
snowshoes, but to carry their blankets, buffalo-robes, cooking gear,
etc.

Hector was a very happy boy as he set forth on a superb winter morning
clad in the warmest of clothing, and striding along upon his
snow-shoes, in the use of which he had become quite expert.

His mother watched with eyes in which there was anxiety as well as
admiration and love, but all she said was: 'Be verra carefu', laddie,
and do whatever Narcisse bids you.'

They steered north-