CHAPTER THREE. 

RELATES HOW BIG BEN BECAME A TRAVELLING COMPANION, AND HOW A BIG BEAR WAS CAPTURED--DISCUSSIONS AND MISFORTUNES. 

To the great satisfaction of Will Osten and his friends, it was discovered that Benjamin Hicks was a wandering trapper, whose avocations led him to whatever part of the wilderness was most likely to produce furs, and who had no particular objection to take a trip across the mountains with our adventurers. Indeed Big Ben thought no more of a ride of several hundreds of miles than most men do of an afternoon walk, and, if particular business did not prevent him, he was always ready to undertake a "venture" so long as it was, in his opinion, justifiable and likely to pay. 

"You see, sir," he said, as he and Will cantered together along the base of a low hill one evening, "it's not that I'm of an unsettled natur', but I've bin born to this sort o' life, an' it would be no manner o' use in me tryin' to change it. Once upon a time I used to think o' settlin' in one of the back settlements--that was when my poor old mother was alive. I used to live with her and take care of her after my father's death. Then I married and thought I was fairly fixed down for life, but one night when I chanced to be out looking after my traps, a war-party o' Injuns attacked the village and killed every soul in it. At least so it was said at the time, but afterwards I met a lad who had escaped, an' he told me that he had seen my mother and wife killed, but that a few of the men escaped as well as him."  QUESTIONS:

Q1:
1. What information came to light regarding Benjamin Hicks?
2. What about Benjamin Hicks ended up being revealed?
3. What was found out regarding Benjamin Hicks?
Q2:
1. What did a ride of several hundred miles feel like to Big Ben?
2. What was Big Ben's opinion of a ride of many hundreds of iles?
3. How did Big Ben feel towards riding several hundred miles?
Q3:
1. Who was formerly under Ben's care?
2. Who was Ben formerly in charge of taking care of?
3. Who did it used to be Ben's job to care for?
Q4:
1. Who discovered Benjamin Hicks' identity as a wandering trapper?
2. Who found out that Benjamin Hicks was a wandering trapper?
3. Who learned of Benjamin Hicks' job as a wandering trapper?
Q5:
1. Where did the group huddle to talk?
2. Where did the group get together to discuss?
3. What was the location of the group's huddled discussion?
Q6:
1. Did settling down ever cross Benjamin Hicks mind?
2. Did Benjamin Hicks ever consider settling down?
3. Was settling down ever a possibility for Benjamin Hicks?
Q7:
1. What did Benjamin Hicks require in order to undertake an adventure?
2. What did Benjamin Hicks need if he was to go on a venture?
3. What was a required element of Benjamin Hicks taking a "venture"?
Q8:
1. Where did Benjamin Hicks' avocations lead him?
2. Where was Benjamin Hicks taken by his avocations?
3. Where would Benjamin Hicks find himself as a result of his avocations?
Q9:
1. Was there any use in trying to change Benjamin Hicks wandering fur trapping ways?
2. Was there any hope of Benjamin Hicks changing his wandering fur trapping ways?
3. Was there any possibility that Benjamin Hicks would cease being a wandering fur trapper?
Q10:
1. What was Benjamin Hicks checking when a war party attacked?
2. What was Benjamin Hicks looking for at the time of the war party's attack?
3. What was Benjamin Hicks checking on when Indians attacked the village?
