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44
AWAY IN THE WILDERNESS.
geese ; a lump of bear’s meat; two little boys and
a girl; a large tent made of deer-skins ; four or
five tin kettles ; two or three dirty-looking dogs
and a gun; several hatchets and a few blankets;
two babies and a dead beaver.
In short, there was almost no end to what that
bark canoe could hold ; yet that Indian, with the
stiff black hair, could lift it off the ground, when
empty, lay it on his shoulders, and carry it for
miles through the forest. The other canoes were
much the same as this one.
In a few minutes they were at the bank, close
under the fort, and about the same time Jasper
and his friends leaped ashore, and were heartily
welcomed by Mr. Grant, who was glad enough to
see Indians, but was overjoyed to meet with white
men.
“ Glad to see you, Jasper,” cried Mr. Grant,
shaking the hunter by the hand ; “ right glad to
see you. It does good to a man to see an old
friend like you turn up so unexpectedly. Happy,
also, to meet with you, Mr. Heywood. It’s a
pleasure I don’t often have to meet with a white
stranger in this wilderness. Pray, come with me
to the house.”
The fur-trader turned to the Indians, and, saying
a few words to them in their own language, led
the way to his residence.
Meanwhile, the Indians had tossed everything