The Trappers Son | Page 6

I was nearly too late, and twice before I had fired, shouting
to you to be on your guard. It's not often my rifle has failed to kill even
at that distance."
Laurence relieved his father's anxiety by showing him that he was
unhurt; and greatly to the old trapper's satisfaction, on examining the
wolf, three bullet holes were found in the skin, showing that his
favourite rifle had not missed, although the first shots had failed to kill.
The prized skin having been secured, as it was too heavy to carry, in
addition to their previous loads, it was hidden, as the traps had been, in
a hollow in the rocks.
"Little chance of its escaping from Indians or wolverines, though I am
loath to abandon it," observed the old man, as he placed the last of a
large pile of stones in front of the cave. "But the snow will be down,
may be this very night, and then it will be safe."
They now proceeded down the valley, and continued on till they
reached the edge of a small wood, where they encamped for the night.
For several days they journeyed on towards the south and east, not
meeting, as they passed over those desert wilds, a single human being.
"Once, when I first knew this region, many thousand warriors, with
their squaws and children, were masters here," observed old Moggs.
"But they are all gone; the white man's gunpowder, and his still more
deadly fire-water, have carried off the greater number. Famine visited
them when they themselves had slaughtered most of the creatures
which gave them food, without having learned other means for
obtaining support. Before that time, neither white nor red trappers had
to go more than a few days' journey from the forts to obtain as many
skins as they needed."
"I wish those times would come back again," said the boy. "For my

legs feel as if they would soon refuse to carry me further."
"Cheer up, lad, we will camp soon, and in a few days more we shall be
at the fort, when you shall have the rest I promised you."
"But you will not quit me then, father, will you?" asked Laurence.
"Well, well, I must buy fresh horses to bring in the skins and traps, and
to prepare for the next season," answered Michael. "I have no wish to
leave you, lad; so don't let that trouble you just now."
The first fall of snow for that winter had now come down, and thickly
covered the ground. For several days it compelled the trapper and his
son to keep within the shelter of their wigwam. Once more they set out.
After travelling severe days, young Laurence, though he had partially
recovered, again felt ready to give way. Still he trudged with his load
by his father's side. The cold had greatly increased; but though he had
hitherto been indifferent to it, he felt that he would rather lie down and
die than proceed further. The old man took his arm, and did his utmost
to encourage him.
They at length reached a wood of birch and firs. "Oh, father, let us
camp here, for I can move on no longer," cried Laurence, in a piteous
tone.
"Cheer up, cheer up, boy," said the old trapper, repeating the expression
he had frequently of late uttered. "A few steps farther, and we shall see
the fort."
The poor lad struggled on. The sun was sinking low in the sky, when,
just as they doubled the wood, its beams fell on the stockaded sides of a
fort, situated on slightly elevated ground out of the prairie.
"There's our resting place at last," exclaimed the old man, pointing with
his hand towards the fort. "Keep up your courage, and we shall reach it
before dark. The peltries we bring will ensure us a welcome; and
though I trust not to the white men who live in cities, the chief factor
there calls me his friend, and has a heart which I doubt not will feel

compassion for your youth. He will treat you kindly for my sake,
though most of the traders such as he care little for the old trapper who
has spent his whole life in toiling for them."
Michael continuing to support the tottering steps of his son, they at last
reached the gates of the fort, which were opened to give them
admittance, their approach having been observed from the look-out
towers on the walls. The stockade surrounded an area of considerable
size, within which were the residences of the factor and clerks, several
large storehouses, and huts for the accommodation of the garrison and
hunters, and casual visitors. Altogether, to Michael's eyes, it appeared a
place of great importance. A