policy of the Great Company, as you doubtless know, to abet its trade
with the Indians by the use of liquor."

De Courtenay looked quickly up.

"Why, I thought,--but then I have much to learn, in fact, all to learn,
since I am but raw in the wilderness."

Like men hungry and athirst from the hardships of the trail and the
stream, the camp and the portage, the guests did justice to the savoury
viands, and at last leaned back in repletion, while Rette took off the
plates and cups; the spoons and forks, and set in their stead a huge
pot of crumbled tobacco with a tin box containing pipes.

"And now," said the factor, smiling, "let us have talk of that world of
which I am hungering for news. You are of the fall ship's load of new
arrivals, I take it?"

"No," said De Courtenay, "it was last spring, about this time, that I
first saw the shores of the New World. Five of my men came with me from
across seas and the rest I picked on starting into the wilderness. They
are mostly Canadians of Scottish blood. I have a fancy that the strong
blond peoples are best for the rigours of what one may find in this
country. Though," he laughed as at some reminiscence, "I have found so
far that my two swarthy guides are worth any three of the rest."

"You have found the way hard?"

"Mother of God! If the rest is like the first of it, I think you may
find my bones bleaching beside some portage where I have given up the