[Illustration: THE TRAPPER’S HOME.] Bill Biddon, Trapper OR LIFE IN THE NORTHWEST BY EDWARD S. ELLIS AUTHOR OF “NATHAN TODD,” “LIFE OF PONTIAC, THE CONSPIRATOR,” “LAND OF MYSTERY,” ETC. NEW YORK HURST & COMPANY PUBLISHERS COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY HURST & COMPANY CONTENTS. CHAPTER PAGE I. Out Late at Night 9 II. A New Friend 32 III. The Trapper’s Story 48 IV. The Trapping Grounds 72 V. Conversations and Plans 98 VI. Still in the Dark--The Canoe Again 116 VII. Alone in the Wilderness 134 VIII. Trapping Among the Indians 153 IX. The Buffalo Hunt and its Consequences 174 X. An Awful Awakening 191 XI. The Brigade and an Old Friend 210 XII. Found at Last 237 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. The Trapper’s Home FRONTISPIECE PAGE “What’s your handle, stranger?” 41 “Gave a snort of alarm and plunged headlong away into the droves.” 61 “Looking back saw a host of savage forms.” 79 “In the stern, with a guiding oar, sat a young female.” 93 “I could see his two coal-black eyes glittering plainly.” 145 “Setting up a wild yell, the Indians scattered and plunged after them.” 177 “Without losing a moment, we mounted and struck to the northward.” 203 “A fight! a fight! make a ring for them.” 213 “No less personage than Nat stepped ashore.” 239 “Hilloa, you!” 251 BILL BIDDON, TRAPPER; OR, LIFE IN THE NORTHWEST. CHAPTER I. OUT LATE AT NIGHT. “How is it, Nat? Any light yet?” “Not the least sign of one, and it’s my opinion it will be a long time before we see another.” “What! you haven’t given up all hopes of reaching the camp? I hope not, as I don’t relish the idea of camping out to-night.” “Nor I either; but I’m thinking it will come to that sooner or later.” “Well, there are several hours yet, in which we must plod onward,” I added, trudging wearily behind my companion.