Sit down, and don't be stupid, my lad. You've given us quite enough
trouble this morning."

"But I want my box," cried Esau. "There's lots o' things in that I
wouldn't lose on no account."

He moved toward the door, but Gunson set down the kettle and stepped
before him.

"Go and sit down," he said sternly.

"But I want--"

"Sit down!" roared Gunson. "Your companion here does not make an idiot
of himself because his box is in the canoe. Do you think I want to run
away with it?"

"No; but those Indians--"

"Are more honest than you are, my lad, or as honest."

"But who told them to take the boxes?"

"I did. For if you go and nearly drown yourself there is no opportunity
for consulting you about matters. You want to go up the river, do you
not?"

"Well, I don't know," cried Esau, whose anger was now comical.

"Then we know for you. As it happens, my first halting-place is at a
settlement twelve miles up the river. I wanted my chests taken up
there, and I ventured to think it would be doing you lads a good turn to
take you and your boxes as well. So I engaged these Indians with their
canoe. They will paddle us up there and land us."

"Oh," said Esau discontentedly. And I burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry you do not like it, Mr Dean; but if you wish it, I will
apologise for the liberties my Indians have taken in saving your life as
they came, as well as in taking your chest."

"Well, I--that is--if I'd--"

"Will you hold your mug this way for some tea, Mr Dean?" said Gunson,
with mock politeness.

"Oh!" exclaimed Esau.

"There, help yourself to sugar and milk. Gordon, my lad, help the
bacon, and give our much-injured friend the best piece."

"Look here," cried Esau fiercely, "you may hit me, or you may kick me,
but I can't stand being made fun of. Say another word like that, and I
won't eat a bit."

"I have said my say," cried Gunson, with a look at me. And after
gulping down his tin mug of tea, Esau seemed to get better, and the meal
was hastily finished in peace.

"Now, Gordon," said Gunson, "our landlady has been very civil to us,
what shall we give her beside the pay for what we have had?"

"If I did what I liked, I should give her a little paper of tea."

"Well done, Solomon of wisdom," said Gunson, taking something from his
pocket; "here it is, done up all ready. Now then, the sooner we start
the better."

Our arrangements with the settler's wife were soon concluded, and it w