Shad.

"Wait, now," called Ed, who had disappeared into the cabin, and
reappeared with a rope. "I'm thinkin' I'll lash your outfit t' th'
canoe. They's no knowin' what's like t' happen, an' 'tis best t' be
sure, whatever."

Shad felt truly grateful to the two bronzed trappers as he shook their
hands and said adieu to them. It was only his impatience to plunge
into the deep forests reaching away to the westward, and a growing
curiosity to meet Ungava Bob, that induced him to decline the
sincerely extended hospitality of Blake and Matheson.

Afternoon was waning into evening when Shad reached the point Dick had
indicated, and the rising breeze was beginning to whip the wave crests
here and there into white foam.

Dick Blake had advised him to camp here if the wind increased. It had
increased considerably, but Shad had set his heart upon reaching Wolf
Bight that night, and he did not wish to stop. The sun was setting,
but there was to be a full moon, and he would be able to see nearly as
well as by day. The sea, though a little rougher than it had been
during the afternoon, was not, after all, he argued, so bad.

"I'll make a try for it, anyhow; I know I can make it," said he, after
a little hesitation, and turning his back upon the point he paddled
on.

Presently, however, he began to regret his decision. With the setting
sun the wind increased perceptibly. The sea grew uncomfortably rough.
Little by little the canoe began to ship water, and with every moment
the situation became more perilous.

Now, genuinely alarmed, Shad made a vain attempt to turn about, in the
hope that he might gain the lee of the point and effect a landing. But
it was too late. He quickly found that it was quite impossible to stem
the wind, and he had no choice but to continue upon his course.

With full realization of his desperate position, Shad paddled hard and
paddled for his life. He was a good swimmer, but he knew well that
were his canoe to capsize he could not hope to survive long in these
cold waters.

The canoe was gradually filling with water, but he dared not release
his paddle to bail the water out. With each big sea that bore down
upon him he held his breath in fear that it would overwhelm him.

Nearer and nearer the south shore loomed in the moonlight, and with
every muscle strained Shad paddled for it with all his might. If he
could only keep afloat another twenty minutes!

But he had taken too desperate a chance. His