they drew closer to the bank, the fir poles of the lately forsaken
camp suggested the probability of the spot from whence the moans
proceeded. The men drew to shore, and hauled up the canoe, while La
V., whose curiosity was much excited, sprang out and proceeded to
climb the bank. On the summit of the bank close to the edge lay four
dogs; or rather they had lain there, but they all started up, and
looked defiance, as soon as steps were heard approaching their
charge. Close within the circle they had formed around her, lay a
little bundle of rags, wrapping the now nearly lifeless form of a
thirteen months old child. Apparently, the moans which had met the
ears of the men in the canoe were her last, for on lifting her up in
his arms, La V. could detect no signs of life. For how many hours had
she lain there, without food or warmth, excepting that afforded by
the dogs, who lay closely round her? But there was no time to
speculate. Without a moment's delay the men cut down three or four
young fir trees, and proceeded to make a fire; and La V., folding the
little one in his "capot"--sat down and tried to bring back life and
warmth into her. In a short, time, a kettle was boiling on the fire;
tea was made, and, with womanly tenderness, a few drops were
administered. After a little time the men had the comfort of seeing a
favourable result of their efforts. A little natural warmth returned
to the poor body, some action at the heart was perceptible, and the
dark eyes opened and sought--the Mother!

That evening the three men and their small burden reached Fort
Simpson, where the news of Michel's crime and the dispersion of the
Indians was already known. There was no doubt now as to whose the
rescued child might be, and it was touching to see how one and
another of the Indian mothers came forward and offered to adopt it as
her own. Yet it is no light charge for an Indian to undertake to rear