STORY OF A FUR COUNTRY NORTH OF CANADA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1854, 3 June 1887, Page 35

STORY OF A FUR COUNTRY NORTH OF CANADA.

Br One of Oub Little Folks.

The construction of the boat went .on rapidly. One day Marbre asked leave to go to Walrus Bay, for him to get a supply of oil. But the lieutenant reminded him that there were no more walruses to be caught on the island. The hunters caught 20 reindeerin the trap, but one day it was suddenly rendered useless by a fracture in the icefield. Mabre, who visited the trap, came up to the lieutenant and told him that the trap was full of water. Hobson told him that as it had been partly hollowed out of ice the ice must have melted, but Mabre said that the water was salt and he could not find the bottom. Hobson knew that the occupants of Fort Hope were subjected to a new danger as the icefield might open at any moment and swallow up Fort Hope. He, however, manifested no surprise, as he did not wish Mabre to learn anything on the point, he simply said that there was nothing wonderful in that and they must be content with setting snares near the fort. When Mabre went away he called Sergeant Long, and they went together to the beach at the foot of Cape Bathurst where they found that Victoria Island had sunk six inches. Much to Hobson's annoyance the weather continued fine until the 22nd August, when the wind suddenly changed to the N.W. and torrents of rain fell. Fortunately the proposed works were all finished. The wood-shed was joined to the house, and a sleeping room built for the soldier. The women were busy making clothes for the winter, while the men found something to do during their compulsory confinement. On the 31st August Hobson determined to go with- Sergeant Long to Cape MichaeVto find out, if possible, whether they were far from the mainland or not. He told the sergeant that he had a presentiment that they were not far from firm ground. At 9 o'clock, when everyone else was in bed, they started, having first told Mrs Barnett in case anything should happen to them. The next day she told the others that they had gone to make a final reconnaissance.

(To be continued.")