“I had to fight the lynx; it made me. And that man’s a big coward. What do you suppose he’s going to do with us? Turn us out in the snow to starve or freeze to death? I feel as though I’d like to punch him now!” And Paul clenched his fists. “Called us thieves! Why, Dan, I never had any reason to steal, and you wouldn’t take a pin that didn’t belong to you.” “Neither of us would steal, an’ I’m thinkin’ he knows un well enough.” “What shall we do if he turns us out?” “’Tis hard t’ say. I’m thinkin’ we’ll be goin’ back in th’ bush, an’ stop t’ hunt when we finds a good place.” The wind had risen to a tempest, and it shrieked and howled around the building now in a way that made the boys appreciate the snug warmth of the shelter, and led Dan to remark: “We needs clothes. We’ll be sure freezin’ t’ death without un, an’ th’ cold weather comin’ on.” Somewhere outside a bell clanged several strokes. Presently the door opened, and three men, shaking snow from their caps and stamping it from their feet, entered. “’Tis a wild nicht,” said one, a big, grizzly bearded fellow, after they had formally greeted Paul and Dan. “Ye arrived just in time, laddies. Are ye up from York Factory?” “No,” answered Paul, “we came from the north.” “And how, now, could that be? The ship’s away this lang time.” Paul explained briefly how they had gone adrift, and their subsequent adventures, up to the time of meeting Factor MacTavish. “My name,” he added, “is Paul Densmore, and my friend is Dan Rudd.” “I’m glad t’ meet ye lads. My name is Tammas Ferguson, and this is Sam’l Hogart, and this Amos Tupper,” introducing his companions. During this conversation and ceremony the men were washing and preparing for supper, and as they sat down Amos invited: “Set in to the tyble, and ’ave a bite to heat.” “Thank you, we’ve eaten,” answered Paul. “Coom, laddies, and have a bite mair,” urged Tammas. “’T will do ye no harm this cowld nicht.” Chuck, the half-breed cook, at this juncture placed a plate piled high with bread upon the table, and this offered a temptation too great to resist. They were longing for bread above all things in the world, and with a “Thank you” they took the seats assigned them without further objection. “Ye’ll be bidin’ wi’ us the winter, and ye must no be backward,” encouraged Tammas. They were not in the least backward. They ate a great deal of Chuck’s indifferent, soggy bread, sopped in black molasses, and thought it delicious, and each drank at least three cups of strong tea. “And did ye see the master?” asked Tammas when supper was over and all were seated about the hot stove. “Yes,” answered Paul, “and he told us we could stay only tonight.” “Did he say that now?” “’E needs men. ’E’s short’anded, and ’e needs more men,” broke in Amos. “Tomorrow ’e’ll be hengaging you.” “There’s no doot o’ that. So don’t worry, lads, aboot the morrow,” encouraged Tammas.