CHAPTER II.

THE TRAPPERS ON THE KANSAS RIVER.

ONE day, a good while after the events re

corded in the previous chapter, a canoe might have been seen gliding noiselessly down the river Kansas, then swollen by floods. Canoes, as my readers are probably aware, are the vessels used by the Indians who live on the banks of the large rivers. They are very skilfully made from birch bark, joined together with great care, and are at the same time light and durable. This canoe was heavily laden, and was steered with an oar by an old man who sat at the stern, while in the forward part a fresh-coloured youth sat with his back to the stem, rowing with two long oars so softly that scarcely the least sound could be heard.

The little vessel shot along very fast past the grey limestone banks, which rose in steep massive walls on either side, crowned by splendid maple and walnut trees, interspersed with birches and oaks. Occasionally these rocky walls rose so high that the light of day could scarcely penetrate the deep chasm.

The man at the helm had to keep a sharp look-out to keep the boat out of danger, in

creased by the great amount of floating wood. Neither of the men exchanged a word. After they had travelled a considerable distance, the bed of the stream began to grow wider. The rocks were no longer so near the edge of the water, but left room for high and bushy willows, and here and there patches of grass were visible.

The man at the helm began now to look very attentively at the rocks. At a sign made by him the rower drew in his oars, and allowed the canoe to go with the stream. The old man then suddenly steered it towards the left bank, and with one or two dexterous pulls the canoe glided silently, but quick as lightning, into a narrow creek, which was completely hidden by alder bushes, willows, and tall reeds.

Rocks of an astonishing height surrounded the creek, so that it was scarcely visible from either land or water. In the background, still further concealed by bushes, was a large cave, protected from any rising of the water by a wall of stones.

"Here we are at last!" said Jack Williams to Ralph.

Both sprang on shore, and drew the canoe on to the bank behind this wall and the rushes which hid the entrance to the cave. Not a little to his surprise, Ralph saw a new wellbuilt canoe covered up with moss and ferns, and stooped down to admire the fine and careful workmanship. Jack Williams looked at him, and said laughingly, "Do you think your father and I engaged in such a promising undertak

ing as this without due care and preparation? Come," he said, taking him by the hand, "you shall see some more of our treasures.'

He led him into the cave, which, though not very deep, was dry and cool. Even the ground showed no trace of damp, because of the wide opening which admitted plenty of air. Ralph was astonished to find a cooking stove, a place for two moss beds, and the provisions of which Jack Williams had spoken, which were in the best condition.

The canoe which they had come with was then unloaded, and everything set in order in the cave; the traps were examined, and found to be in capital condition, and Ralph set to work to get something ready to eat, by making a stew of some of the pemmican which remained of the last year's provisions. Pemmican is a kind of preserved meat, which is made from beef carefully dried and then ground to powder. When properly prepared, it is very nutritious and palatable.

The blankets, or, to speak more correctly, the thick woollen rugs, which were hidden in the cave served them for beds; and, wrapping themselves in the new ones which they had brought with them from St. Louis, the two trappers lay down to the first agreeable repose which they had enjoyed for several days. They were greatly in need of rest, for their journey from St. Louis had been fatiguing. They had exerted themselves very much on their way to the river, and had explored all the creeks on each side of the Kansas on

their way down. Everywhere they had found enough beaver huts to warrant the expectation of a first-rate season. They had set traps and made them fast at all these places, and had experienced the unavoidable fatigue connected with this part of a trapper's life. After the labours of each day, having cast anchor, that is, concealed the canoe by the bank, they enjoyed a frugal meal of biscuits and smoked beef, and lay down in their rugs to endeavour to snatch a few hours' sleep, which was rendered almost impossible by the swarms of mosquitoes, whose bites caused a most painful itching and inflammation, for which there was no cure but time and patience, as the fear of the Indians prevented them from making a fire, the smoke of which would have been some protection.

This advantage they could now avail themselves of without the chance of discovery, and the smoke rising to the roof of the cave kept the tormenting insects away. The deep sleep of the two men lasted undisturbed till the next morning. The sun was already high when they awoke. After a short prayer from Jack Williams, Ralph, who had inherited his father's post as cook, collected some dry wood, of which there was no scarcity, and prepared a simple breakfast.

A great many arrangements had to be made before they could think of going on an expedition farther down the Kansas; and, while Jack Williams attended to all that, Ralph cast his nets into the well-stocked river, and