Adventure and adventurers > Away in the wilderness, or, Life among the red Indians and fur-traders of North America

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AWAY IN THE WILDERNESS.
“ I have come all the way from Canada, young
woman, and I count myself lucky in meeting with
such a pleasant face at the end of my journey.”
“From Canada!” exclaimed Marie, becoming
still more interested in the stranger, and blushing
deeply as she asked—“ You have friends there,
no doubt 1"
“ Ay, a few,” said Jasper.
“ And what has brought you such a long way
into this wild wilderness ? ” asked Marie, sighing
as she thought of the hundreds of miles that lay
between Fort Erie and Canada.
“ I have come here to get me a wife,” replied
Jasper.
“ That is strange,” said the girl, smiling, “ for
there are few but Indian women here. A stout
hunter like you might find one nearer home, I
should think.”
Here Marie paused, for she felt that on such a
subject she ought not to converse with a stranger.
Yet she could not help adding, “ But perhaps, as
you say you have been in this part of the world
before, you may have some one in your mind 1 ”
“ I am engaged,” said Jasper, abruptly.
On hearing this, Marie felt more at her ease,
and, being of a very sympathetic nature, she at
once courted the confidence of the stranger.
“ May I venture to ask her name ? ” said Marie,
with an arch smile.