How Canada was Won

utlaws a

to the bank of the Hudson river and within a few yards of the nearest house. "I don't reckon Albany's much of a place fer us jest now. There's the French up by L

hey are doing their utmost to conciliate the Dutch and win them over to their own side. The same may be said of the Indians. You see, boys, we colonists are

ets scalped by fifties and hundreds. Reckon that'

his shock head of tousled hair. "He's our shopman, so he is, and fait

you, Mac, he jest twists us kinder round his finger. He knows we ain't got no other market, and so he jest offers what'd be a fair price for a dozen of the skins. Then, if we looks disgusted, as like as not he'll put a little extry to his p

ye wouldn't be giving the

I ever saw. It's what he offers or nothing. If you ain't pleased, he jest gets up from his chair and starts to walk into his house.

answer. "I did it last time, and I'll try again o

g out Jim. "Then bri

range procession they made as they came along the wide street, past the prosperous Dutch houses and the well-dressed and comfortable-looking owners. Not th

s he would obtain were a source of interest and expectation during the long cold months, and the trade he could do was of no small importance. For each skin meant so much in the way of powder, so much lead, or perhaps a new musket. With the

hed down the street sturdily, their heads in the air, looking what they were, a thoroughly independent and hardy trio. And presently they came to Hans Schiller's house, an

t Jim, "reckon we want that Dutch m

sturdy backwoodsman, and then departed into the house. They heard her call out

did the trade for us last year, and there ain't a doubt as he was more liberal than ever bef

f the house and pushed her head out. She looked calmly, almost contemptuousl

mens here." Then turning again to the

dam," he said, with a little bow. "We are waiting to see

trading with him. He remembered that on the last occasion he was constantly inter

an can trade best when he's left to himself. Keep a hold

hrust out a hot and very fat hand, and allowed Steve t

English than his wife boasted. "He squeeze my hand so last time, and the others always th

with Jim and Mac; and Steve, who watched him carefully, noticed that a

ou come to Albany ver late. All the trapper come and gon

knowing wink. "We came straight to you because we have always been here. But

an instant, and puffing clouds of smoke from his pipe, rose to his feet and shouldered one of the bales. But Jim possessed a somewhat slower

began. "Bles

r. Schiller's bought all he wants, and now we're off down the town to the

on Steve's shoulder and speaking in somewhat anxious tones. "I can

to be obtained for them in New York. He was also aware that the trapper as a rule bore all the fatigue and risk of getting the pelts, and was miserably rewarded.

yed, and Steve had demanded more than double the amount of powder, lead, and other commodities which th

easiest smiles and looke

chance. This is the finest lot of skins that you have seen, that you admit. A pity

onfident assurance which he had worn from the very first. And a

es. "That 'ere deal war the finest as ever I listened to, and, shucks! ain't you a cool 'un! I didn't jest dare to look at yer too often, nor at Mac nor Hans. I jest sat and smoked, gripping

e summer. Then he floats down the Hudson in a flat-bottomed boat, and trades his skins at New York for dollars. A few of those buy the stuff he needs

hen the three had returned to the camp. "A couple of Indians have

n he indicated, caught sight of a couple of f

quickly, staring at the heads till the

r sort generally want?

ere," Jim answered swiftly. "Reckon we'll have to keep an

h all understood, and for a little while all j

ar," said Jim, with emphasis. "Reck

rrow or the next day," broke in Steve. "That will make them keep a c

on, and brought a grun

to eat and pass it round. After that we'll put in a sleep, as if we was fixed to stay here

trading town was just the place where a roving band of small dimensions might take up its quarters, or rather in its immediate neighbourhood, sending some of their scouts into the town to gather information. And a small band, such as Steve and his friends comprised, with their sto

" said Jim, after a while. "Maybe I'l

er word, and was on the point of

out. "I can't sleep, and a li

got more larnin', you'll find it's a wise man who puts in sleep when he's the

e were one or two stores to be found, and they hung about these for a little whi

ain till they reached th

ly stopping and calmly filling his pipe. "Jest you walk on, Ste

nt, turning his back to the wind and to his young companion, wh

said in low tones. "I war right. One of

if for a stroll, and when we're hidden we

icket, lad. E

s at this end of Albany. They threaded their way in amongst the trees in single file, each unslinging his mus

guess we're still movin'. When he comes along, stand up in his way. That'll put a

e the bush, Steve stepped out without so much as a rustle and confronted the man, causing him to come to a sudden stop. For once the coolness of an Indian was upset. He gave a low grunt of astonishment, and in a twinkling his musket was presented at Steve's head. For just one brief instant our hero stared into the barrel, and then, quick as thought, he ducked. There was a loud report, a tongue of flame and smoke spurted almost into his face, and his coon-skin cap was lifted from his head and carried into the bush behind. Then, long before he could use his own weapon, the Indian was upon him, his keen tomahawk gleaming in his hand. Lucky it was for Steve that the stock of his musket

HIM, HIS KEEN TOMAHAW

d didn't reckon as you'd get a grip of his throat so early. Take a word from Jim. When you've got the best of an Injun, never feel safe till he's dead. There ain't nothing in this world to touch '

time, and it was well for Steve that his to

hours, maybe a day or more. But they'll find him sure enough, and then there'll be a howl. Best get back to the camp." He

he returned, "but we'll put 'em off the trail. C

ian?" said Steve suddenly. "H

that's s

and this man were alon

's a band of 'em that has made Albany their station. Like as not they've wip

ere, Jim, we'll make through the wood till close to the c

oung companion's intentions. He swept his skin

kon I withdraws what I've said.

sely in the wake of the hunter, and neither making so much as a sound. Presently,

im. "But these trees has made it safe. Reckon no o

le to report that he had come upon a trail in the forest, and that the marks showe

, Jim, and I think that quite a number must have been

trike off for it. I seed that other varmint keepin' watch on the camp. He ain't got a thought that his brother has gone to the happy huntin' groun

he trail which he had found. An hour's fast walking took them some six miles into the forest, when, seeing that the trail still went on, they broke into a dog trot, which both were well able to keep up for hours at a time. As it

ce barely to a whisper, and sniffing at the air like a dog.

ed Steve with convic

camp in its surroundings. There was a fire in the centre of a narrow clearing, and three or four rough skin shelters were erected under the shadow of

I reckon there ain't any other redskins within miles, or else this camp would ha' been discovered lo

, pointing to a number of barrels and sacks and

of many a small band of trappers same as us. Re

figure was seated. Steve followed his finger, saw the man and watched with dilating eyes as he rose and turned towards them. He was a pale face, a white man like themsel

p at a fast trot, their senses fully alert and their thoughts occupied with the white man and the band of Indians whom they had just discovered. A little later they turned to the left, crept undetected into the town, and strolled in the most

d Jim casually. "Then su

e town and into the wood. It war almost a case with Steve. But we dropped the man. After that we struck the track at the back of this camp, and co

hounded on by the French, and in many cases French colonists and regular soldiers had been with them. Bands of desperadoes had ranged the forests, and of these there was none more cruel, more successful and more feared than that of Jules Lapon, a young

the winter falls, they'll still be waitin'. These here Dutchmen can't give no protecti