CHAPTER THIRTY ONE. 

RETRIBUTION. 

Owing to the success of the buffalo runners, the winter passed away in comparative comfort. But, as we have said, some of the settlers who had been ruined by the failure of the fisheries and the depredations of the mice, and who did not share much in the profits of the autumn hunt, were obliged once again to seek their old port of refuge at Pembina. 

Among these was the Swiss family Morel. Andre went, because he did not wish to remain comparatively idle in the colony during the long months of winter. Elise went for the purpose of keeping house--perhaps we should say keeping hut--for Andre. Fred Jenkins went because he wanted to learn more about Indian ways and customs, as well as to perfect himself in the art of hunting the buffalo--that was all! 

There were some who did not believe what the bold seaman said. Elise Morel was one of these--perhaps the most unbelieving amongst them. 

Indeed, she laughed quite hilariously when his motive was reported to her by Billie Sinclair the day before they started. 

"Why do you laugh so?" inquired Little Bill, who was always more or less in a state of surprise when he got upon this subject with Elise. 

"It is not easy to say, Billie," answered the girl, with another pleasant little laugh, "but it is so funny that a sailor should take such a fancy to come out here, so far away from his native element, and find so much interest in snow-shoe walking and Indian customs." 
Who else was there?
Fred Jenkins