business, and resigned to become a "free trader" as all fur traders are
called who carry on business in opposition to "The Great Company." We
were eight days upon the trip, but, strange to say, during each day's
travel toward Spearhead, his conversation in reference to that thriving
town made it appear to grow smaller and smaller, until at last it
actually dwindled down to such a point, that, about sunset on the day
we were to arrive, he turned to me and casually remarked:

"Presently you'll see Fort Consolation and the Indian village beyond.
Spearhead is just across the lake, and by the bye, my boy, I forgot to
tell you that Spearhead is just my log shack. But it's a nice little
place, and you'll like it when you pay us a visit, for I want you to
meet my wife."

Then our canoe passed a jutting point of land and in a moment the scene
was changed--we were no longer on a river, but were now upon a lake,
and the wilderness seemed suddenly left behind.


AT FORT CONSOLATION

On the outer end of a distant point a cluster of poplars shaded a
small, clapboarded log house. There, in charge of Fort Consolation,
lived the Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company. Beyond a little lawn
enclosed by a picket fence stood the large storehouse. The lower floor
of this was used as a trading room; the upper story served for a fur
loft. Behind were seen a number of shanties, then another large
building in which dog-sleds and great birch-bark canoes were stored.
Farther away was a long open shed, under which those big canoes were
built, then a few small huts where the half-breeds lived. With the