be very unwilling to exhaust his store;
that we had sufficient meat to last us for some time.

While I was speaking, I saw him looking at Robin and Pat, but he asked
no questions about them. I told him that we must now return to the
camp, or my brother would be growing anxious, and that I hoped we should
be able to join him the next day, provided that Alick was well enough to
bear the journey.

"You should not delay," he remarked, "for we may expect the winter to
set in shortly with far greater rigour than hitherto, and your brother
might suffer from being exposed to it."

"May I venture to ask how you came to be here?" I said, as I was
preparing to go.

"By a very simple accident," he answered. "I was on a hunting
expedition with several followers when, while in the neighbourhood, I
was suddenly seized with an illness. Most of my followers took it into
their heads that it was the smallpox, and deserted me, with the
exception of two Ojibbeways, who remained faithful and brought me to
this hut, of the existence of which they were aware, having received
instruction here when it was occupied by a missionary. We found it in a
very dilapidated condition; but they repaired the roof and rendered it
habitable. Had it not been for their care I should have died, and I am
still, as you see, hovering between life and death. Don't let me detain
you."

The voice and language of the person whom we found in this deplorable
state convinced me that he was a gentleman. I felt, however, unwilling
to leave him longer under the care of the Indians, for I saw what he
said about himself was too true, and I feared that even before we could
return he might die. I proposed leaving Robin with him, and Robin
himself said that he should very much like to remain; but then I
recollected that we should require four persons to carry Alick, and that
he could not be spared.

The sick man's eyes were again turned towards Robin as I spoke.

"Strange!" I heard him mutter to himself. "It must be but fancy,
though."

I again expressed my regret that none of us could remain.

"I would not detain you," he answered. "Your companion requires
probably more care than I do. I have only to lie here and suffer. My
medicine-chest is well-nigh exhausted, and I must now trust to nature.
Farewell! I hope to see you all to-morrow."

He spoke in the tone of a gentleman inviting a party of guests to his
house. We took our departure, and hurried ba