and be ready for an early start up Grand Lake on the morrow. It was
Tom that headed the little party sent by me up the Susan Valley to
bring to the Post Hubbard's body in March, 1904; and it was through
his perseverance, loyalty and hard work at the time that I finally
succeeded in recovering the body. Tom's daughter, Lillie, was
Mackenzie's little housekeeper, who showed me so many kindnesses then.
The whole family, in fact, were very good to me during those trying
days, and I count them among my true and loyal friends.

We had supper with Cotter, who sang some Hudson's Bay songs, Richards
sang a jolly college song or two, Stanton a "classic," and then all
who could sing joined in "Auld Lang Syne."

My thoughts were of that other day, when Hubbard, so full of hope, had
begun this same journey-of the sunshine and fleecy clouds and
beckoning fir tops, and I wondered what was in store for us now.



CHAPTER III

THE LAST OF CIVILIZATION

The time for action had come. Our canoes were loaded near the wharf,
we said good-by to Cotter and a group of native trapper friends, and
as we took our places in the canoes and dipped our paddles into the
waters that were to carry us northward the Post flag was run up on the
flagpole as a salute and farewell, and we were away. We soon rounded
the point, and Cotter and the trappers and the Post were lost to view.
Duncan was to follow later in the evening in his rowboat with some of