ayer to
that God from whom he had so long obstinately turned away; yet though we
must be assured that God overhears the prayers of those who come to Him
in His Son's name, He takes His own good time and way to answer the
petitions he receives; and we must be prepared to wait patiently for the
result, and not expect always to see it brought about in the manner we
in our ignorance may have desired.

CHAPTER FIVE.

STOCK OF PROVISIONS AT THE FORT STILL FURTHER DECREASED--REPORTS OF
SIOUX BEING IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD--PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE--CHILDREN'S
AMUSEMENT OF "COASTING"--SIOUX SEEN IN THE DISTANCE--THE HUNTERS CAUGHT
BY THEM--CAMP-FIRES OF INDIANS SEEN IN THE DISTANCE--FRESH BANDS JOIN
THEM.

The trials to which the inhabitants of the fort were exposed were
becoming greater every day. The store of potatoes and other vegetables
in the root-house, where they were secured from the frost, deep down
below the surface, was rapidly lessening.

Mr Ramsay had lately inspected the meat pit, in which the carcases of
the buffaloes and other animals shot during the previous fall were
preserved, and found it nearly empty. Meat is preserved in that region
in a peculiar manner. A deep pit is dug, and while the frost is still
in the air, and the snow covers the ground, all the animals killed are
placed in it. The bottom is lined with a coating of snow beaten hard,
and then a layer of meat is placed on it. On the top of this more snow
is beaten, when an additional layer of meat is placed in the pit, and so
on till the whole is full. It is then covered over with snow, and a
thickly-thatched roof is erected over it. The meat-cellar, indeed,
resembles an English ice-house. The meat thus remains in a fit
condition to be eaten throughout the year. Fish is preserved in the
same way. During the winter, however, the fish, when caught, become
frozen, and can be kept in an open shed.

This year, as we have said, in consequence of the early frost, but a
small supply of fish had been caught.

Mr Ramsay was looking out anxiously for the arrival of the expected
supplies, but no news of their coming had yet readied him. The hunters
had returned unsuccessful from the chase, and had again gone out with
the intention of proceeding to a greater distance than before. News
came also which caused the small remaining garrison some anxiety. It
was reported that, contrary to their usual custom, for they seldom
travel during winter, a l