arrangements as my own inclinations dictated, without the surveillance
of a superior. I was, in fact, master of my own time and of my own
actions; could fiddle when I pleased, and dance when I had a mind with
my own shadow; no person here dared to question my actions.

About the beginning of September the natives began to pass for the
interior, and to my great surprise appeared to be in want of further
supplies, although they had left the Lake amply provided with
everything necessary. Some of them took advances here again to a
considerable amount. I learned from them that a petty trader who had
just then sprung into existence, intended to establish a couple of
posts in the interior of the district--(this post being subject to the
Lake of Two Mountains.) This was rather an unpleasant piece of
intelligence, and quite unexpected by my superiors or myself. I
despatched a messenger to head-quarters to give the alarm, and was
soon joined by a reinforcement of men conducted by a junior clerk and
an interpreter. Preparations were then made to follow up this new
competitor the moment he appeared. He did not allow us to remain long
in suspense. A few days afterwards his party was observed passing in
two canoes; our people were immediately in their wake, and I remained
with but one man and the old interpreter during the winter. I had only
two Indian hunters to attend to; one in the immediate vicinity of the
post, the other about three days' journey distant. Late in autumn I
was gratified by a visit from the superintendent of the district, who
expressed himself perfectly satisfied with my arrangements. As soon as
the river _set fast_ with ice, I resolved on paying a visit to my more
remote customer, and assumed the snow-shoes for the first time. I set
out with my _only_ man, leaving the old interpreter sole occupier of
the post. My man had visited the Indian on several occasions during
the previous winter, and told me that he usually halted at a