“We’ll hit the trail, then, the day after New Year’s. How’ll that suit you?” asked Amesbury. “Can’t go too soon to suit us,” said Paul. “Now I’m thinkin’,” suggested Dan, “th’ master’ll not be lettin’ us leave th’ post. I were so glad t’ be goin’ I forgets we has a debt an’ we signed papers t’ work un out, an’ he’ll sure not let us go till we works un out.” “That’s so,” admitted Paul in a tone of deep disappointment. “How much did you say the debt amounted to?” asked Amesbury. “Eighteen dollars for each of us,” answered Paul, “but we’ve been here working two months with wages, and that takes off six dollars from each debt, so the first of the month our debts’ll each be down to twelve dollars.” “Good arithmetic; worked it out right the first time,” Amesbury nodded in approval. “Now if you each pay the old pirate twelve dollars, how much will you owe him and how long can he hold you at the post?” “Why the debt would be squared and he couldn’t keep us at all.” “Right again.” “But we has no money to pay un,” broke in Dan. “Just leave all that to me,” counseled Amesbury. “I’ll attend to his case.” “Oh, thank you, Mr. Amesbury,” and Paul grasped the trapper’s hand. “’Tis wonderful kind of you,” said Dan. “Don’t waste your words thanking me,” cautioned Amesbury. “Wait till I get you out in the bush. I’ll get my money’s worth out of you chaps.” “‘See-saw, Margery Daw, Johnnie shall have a new master; He shall have but a penny a day, Because he can’t work any faster.’” He stretched his long arms, yawned, untangled his ungainly legs from the knot into which he had twisted them, and rose to his feet, remarking: “Do you see where the sun is, fellows? It’s time to be going. You can lash these traps of yours on the top of my flat sled. Ahmik and I left our flat sleds just below here.” “My criky!” exclaimed Paul. “The sun’s setting. I didn’t realize it was so late.” In accordance with Amesbury’s suggestion all of their things, save their guns, were lashed on one of the long, narrow toboggans upon which he and Ahmik hauled their provisions and camp outfit, and the four turned toward the post, in single file, Paul and Dan highly elated with the prospect of presently turning homeward. CHAPTER XVI RELEASED FROM BONDAGE Tammas, Samuel, and Amos, who had spent the day caribou hunting, but had killed nothing, were gathered around the stove engaged in a heated argument as to whether a caribou would or would not charge a man when at close quarters, when Paul and Dan entered with the visitors. “Weel! Weel!” exclaimed Tammas, rising. “If ’tis no Charley Amesbury and John Buck wi’ the laddies!”