Fortunately the storm died away after an hour or two of fierce wind.

Still he did not come up with McGill, and he camped again for the night, cursing the little professor who was racing on ahead of him.

It was noon of the following day when he came in sight of the few log cabins at Fort Smith, situated in a treeless and snow-smothered sweep of the plain on the other side of the Slave.

He crossed the river and hurried past the row of buildings that led to post headquarters.

In front of the company office were gathered a little crowd of men, women and children.