"I have no wish
to leave you, lad; so don't let that trouble you just now."

The first fall of snow for that winter had now come down, and thickly
covered the ground. For several days it compelled the trapper and his
son to keep within the shelter of their wigwam. Once more they set out.
After travelling severe days, young Laurence, though he had partially
recovered, again felt ready to give way. Still he trudged with his load
by his father's side. The cold had greatly increased; but though he had
hitherto been indifferent to it, he felt that he would rather lie down
and die than proceed further. The old man took his arm, and did his
utmost to encourage him.

They at length reached a wood of birch and firs. "Oh, father, let us
camp here, for I can move on no longer," cried Laurence, in a piteous
tone.

"Cheer up, cheer up, boy," said the old trapper, repeating the
expression he had frequently of late uttered. "A few steps farther, and
we shall see the fort."

The poor lad struggled on. The sun was sinking low in the sky, when,
just as they doubled the wood, its beams fell on the stockaded sides of
a fort, situated on slightly elevated ground out of the prairie.

"There's our resting place at last," exclaimed the old man, pointing
with his hand towards the fort. "Keep up your courage, and we shall
reach it before dark. The peltries we bring will ensure us a welcome;
and though I trust not to the white men who live in cities, the chief
factor there calls me his friend, and has a heart which I doubt not will
feel compassion for your youth. He will treat you kindly for my sake,
though most of the traders such as he care little for the old trapper
who has spent his whole life in toiling for them."

Michael continuing to support the tottering steps of his son, they at
last reached the gates of the fort, which were opened to give them
admittance, their approach having been observed from the look-out towers
on the walls. The stockade surrounded an area of considerable size,
within which were the residences of the factor and clerks, several large
storehouses, and huts for the accommodation of the garrison and hunters,
and casual visitors. Altogether, to Michael's eyes, it appeared a place
of great importance. A number of voyageurs and half-breeds, in their
picturesque costumes, were strolling about; multitudes of children were
playing at the doors of the huts; and women were seen going to and from
the stor