aging party,
whom we have met here and who go back to Athabasca Landing on our boat,
is beyond a mere woman to say. Both parties must spend the night here;
there is only one bunk to every twenty persons, and those who hold
possession utterly refuse to sleep outside with the mosquitoes and
bulldog flies. Once I read a story in the Talmud which I considered
wholly fabulous. It was about a mosquito saving the life of David when
Saul hunted him upon the mountains. I no longer doubt this story, my
incredulity having vanished this day with my courage. A mosquito is
big enough to do anything.

A member of the Royal North-West Mounted Police, truly a most
formidable appearing man, insisted on searching our luggage for
contraband liquor. I was sorely displeased, and could have dealt him a
clout with all my might, for the froward manner in which he turned out
my things to the public view. He might have known if I carried a
flask, it would be in my coat pocket. His only find was an unbroached
bottle of elderberry wine which a rancher's wife was bringing home for
her dinner-party next Christmas. Be it said to the youth's credit that
upon the circumstances being explained to him he returned the wine to
her. He had no authority for so doing, but assuredly he had the
countenance of a great example Yahveh of the Jews having aforetime
"winked at" certain breaches of the law which He considered to be the
better kept in their non-observance.

The liquor taken by the police is either given to the hospital at
Grouard or poured on the ground as a libation to Bacchus and his
woodland troup. It is very foolish to ask the officer in command if
his men ever drink themselves, for he will say, "Pooh! Pooh!" and use
other argumentative exclamations that will fright you out of your wits.
You would almost think the subject was loaded, and it takes a soft look
and a wondrously soft answer to turn away his wrath.

Early in the evening I was invited to browse at the official residence,
and I had a good time; that is to say, I found it distinctly
entertaining. "I would say that you are very welcome," remarked my
hostess as she held out both her hands, "were it not that it seems an
understanding of the fact. I have read your _Sowing Seeds in Danny_,
and feel that I know you extremely well."

It was fortunate I did not tell her she had confused me with Mrs.
McClung, for she gave me eggs to eat that were most cunningly scrambled
with chee