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." 
What was discovered about Bejamin Hicks? How did Big Ben think of a ride of several hundred miles? Who was it Ben use to take care of? Who discovered Hicks was a wandering trapper? Where was the group gathered around talking? Did Ben Hicks ever think about settlinig down? what was required for ben when taking and ad"venture"? Where did his avocations lead him? Would it be of any use to try and change his wandering fur trapping ways? What was he checking when a war party attacked?
That he was a wandering trapper No more than most men do of an afternoon walk His mother Will and his friends A low hill Yes It must be justifiable and likely to pay Whatever part of the wilderness that produced furs No His traps