e heifer, the ducks and geese, and even the
pig--though it puzzled me why they singled out the very one they
intended giving Son-in-law. The silent though beautiful Athabasca
followed a few feet behind as we went the rounds, and inspected the
wealth that was to be bestowed upon her lover. I was growing more
inquisitive than ever as to who Son-in-law might be. Indeed, I felt
like asking, but was really too shy, and besides, when I thought it
over, I concluded it was none of my business.

When the time came for me to return to the Hudson's Bay Post, I shook
hands with them all--Athabasca had nice hands and a good grip, too.
Her parents gave me a pressing invitation to visit them again for a few
days at New Year's, when everyone in the country would be going to the
great winter festival that was always held at Fort Consolation. As I
paddled away I mused:

"By George, Son-in-law is certainly a lucky dog, for Athabasca's a
peach . . . but I don't see how in thunder her lover ever gets a chance
to call."

LEAVING FORT CONSOLATION

I was up early next morning and as I wished to see how Oo-koo-hoo and
his party would pack up and board their canoes, I walked round the bay
to the Indian village. After a hasty breakfast, the women pulled down
the lodge coverings of sheets of birch bark and rolling them up placed
them upon the _star-chi-gan_--the stage--along with other things which
they intended leaving behind. The lodge poles were left standing in
readiness for their return next summer, and it wasn't long before all
their worldly goods--save their skin tepees and most of their traps,
which had been left on their last winter's hunting grounds--were placed
aboard their three canoes, and off they paddled to the Post, to say
good-bye, while Amik secured his advances.

Just think of it, all you housekeepers--no gold plate or silverware to
send to the vault, no bric-a-brac to pack, no furniture to cover, no
bedding to put away, no rugs or furs or clothes to send to cold
storage, no servants to wrangle with or discharge, no plumbers to swear
over, no janitors to cuss at, no, not even any housecleaning to do
before you depart--just move and nothing more. Just dump a little
outfit into a canoe and then paddle away from all your tiresome
environment, and travel wherever your heart dictates, and then settle
down where not even an exasperating neighbour could find you. What
would you give to live such a peaceful life?

"As