sorely."

"What is that?" asked Heywood.

"I've never heard from Marie from that day to this," said Jasper.

"That is strange," replied the other; "but perhaps she cannot write."

"That's true. Now, you speak of it, I do believe she can't write a
line; but, then, she might have got some one to write for her."

"Did you leave your address with her?"

"How could I, when I had no address to leave?"

"But did you ever send it to her?"

"No, I never thought of that," said Jasper, opening his eyes very wide.
"Come, that's a comfort--that's a good reason for never havin' heard
from her. Thankee, lad, for putting me up to it. And, now, as we must
be up and away in another hour, I'll finish my nap."

So saying, Jasper put out his pipe and once more drew his blanket over
him. Heywood followed his example, and while he lay there gazing up at
the stars through the trees, he heard the worthy hunter muttering to
himself, "That's it; that accounts for my not hearin' from her."

A sigh followed the words, very soon a snore followed the sigh, and ere
many minutes had passed away, the encampment was again buried in
darkness and repose.

CHAPTER FIVE.

JOURNEYING IN THE WILDERNESS.

It seemed to Heywood that he had not been asleep more than five minutes,
when he was aroused by Jasper laying his heavy hand on his shoulder. On
rubbing his eyes and gazing round him, he found that the first streak of
dawn was visible in the eastern sky, that the canoe was already in the
water, and that his companions were ready to embark.

It is usually found that men are not disposed to talk at that early
hour. Heywood merely remarked that it was a fine morning, to which
Jasper replied by a nod of his head. Nothing more was said. The artist
rolled up his blanket in a piece of oiled-cloth, collected his drawing
materials and put them into their bag, got into his place in the centre
of the canoe, and immediately went to sleep, while Jasper and the
Indian, taking their places in the bow and stern, dipped the paddles
into the water and shot away from the shore. They looked mysterious and
ghostly in the dim morning light; and the whole scene around them looked
mysterious and ghostly too, for the water in the lake seemed black, and
the shores and islands looked like dark shadows, and a pale thin mist
rolled slowly over the surface of the water and hung overhead. No sound
was heard except the light plash of the paddles as the two back